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Eco-innovation
implementation process
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ISBN: 978-92-807-3634-2
process
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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
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Engineering Design and Product Development
The UN Environment Economy Division helps governments, local • Economics and Trade (Geneva), which helps countries to integrate
authorities and decision-makers in business and industry to develop environmental considerations into economic and trade policies,
and implement policies and practices focusing on sustainable and works with the finance sector to incorporate sustainable
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• adequate management of chemicals, For more information see www.unep.org
• the integration of environmental costs in development policies.
The Office of the Director, located in Paris, coordinates activities through:
4
Acknowledgements
This manual has been commissioned by the United Nations Crul, Ursula Tischner, J.C. Diehl, Johannes Fresner, Long Nguyen Hong,
Environment Programme (UN Environment) and is the result of close Ali Abo Sena, Carlos Fernando Cadavid, Karim Zein, Lars Coenen, Jose
collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark. Maria Fernandez, Reinhard Joas, Smail Alhilali, Cesar Barahona, Sonja
Bauer, Marlucio Borges, Kevin Cilliers, Vladimir Dobes, Tiina Härkäsalmi,
Authors at Technical University of Denmark: Jamie O’Hare, Tim C.
Gerswynn Mckuur, Fanny Demassieux, James Lomax, Tomas Ferreira
McAloone, Daniela C. A. Pigosso, Thomas J. Howard
Marques, Frank O’Connor and Isabel Studer.
Overall coordination and supervision, technical editing and support
In addition, UN Environment acknowledges the valuable contribution
at UN Environment, Economy Division: Liazzat Rabbiosi, Elisa Tonda,
made by the following people to the preparation of the Manual: Marcel
Andrea Floudiotis, Cristina Battaglino, Katie Tuck, Joni Pegram, and
Crul, Johannes Fresner, Reinhard Joas, Sonja Bauer, Craig Hawthorne,
Garrette Clark.
Haris Hondo, Monica Borrero, Tiina Härkäsalmi, Vladimir Dobes, Frank
The working version of manual was tested during the implementation of O’Connor, Johanna Suikkanen, Taeko Takahashi, Tracey Colley, Sonia
the ‘Resource Efficiency and Eco-Innovation in Developing and Transition Valdivia, Feng Wang, Faycal Boureima, Llorenc Mila I Canals, Vera
Economies’ project project led by UN Environment and implemented Barrantes, Sandra Averous, Kevin Ramirez, and Arab Hoballah.
by project teams of National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka in Sri
Special thanks also go to the participants of the Regional validation and
Lanka, Centre for Creativity and Sustainability in Vietnam, SIRIM Berhad
training workshops in five global regions of Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin
in Malaysia, National Cleaner Production Centre in South Africa, Uganda
America and the Caribbean, Europe and West Asia. Too numerous to
Cleaner Production Centre in Uganda, Egypt National Cleaner Produc-
mention, their inputs and provision of comments have also significantly
tion Centre in Egypt, Centro Nacional de Ecoeficiencia y Responsabil-
helped to tailor this Manual to the needs of the end user.
idad Social in Peru, and Centro Nacional de Producción Más Limpia y
Tecnologías Ambientales in Colombia. UN Environment is grateful for UN Environment would like to thank Fernando Diaz Lopez for his
their committed work in testing and applying the eco-innovation manual’s contributions to the early stages of the Eco-innovation Manual
methodology with Small and Medium Enterprises in their respective development and as conceptual advisor for the ‘Resource Efficiency
countries and for their invaluable feedback from this experience. and Eco-Innovation in Developing and Transition Economies’ project.
UN Environment acknowledges the following people that provided UN Environment gratefully acknowledges the funding support of the
comments to the preparatory work for the conceptual and methodolog- European Commission to the ‘Resource Efficiency and Eco-Innovation
ical formulation of the Eco-Innovation Manual led by TNO (Fernando in Developing and Transition Economies’ project and related activities.
J. Diaz Lopez, Anton Kaasjager, Matt Jongen, Erika Ustailieva, Tom
Design activities were led by Mercè Rua and Adrià Garcia i Mateu
Lighart, Carlos Montalvo). This included attendance to UN Environment
from Barcelona-based design collective HOLON.
led workshops and/or the provision of electronic comments by: Marcel
5
Table of contents
Why eco-innovation 15
Phase 1 - Prepare 23
6
Eco-innovation activity list
SET
prepare STRATEGY
Do a workshop/
Identify the right market for the Understand the value chain Engage potential clients Get ready for the Preliminary
eco-innovation services sustainability hotspots, Assessment interviews with staff
opportunities and threats ST.5
Develop a value
Evaluate potential Plan my data
Identify chain pitch Update the
markets PR.7 gathering strategy
PR.1 sustainability ST.1 sustainability
hotspots across Plan and implement hotspots
Build the right team the value chain engagement Understand the current ST.6
to deliver the service PR.4 business strategy
activities
Build the right Identify the general PR.8 Analyse the information I have
Interview the CEO gathered
internal team opportunities ST.2
Gain approval from senior
PR.2 and threats across management to proceed
Do a SWOT analysis
the value chain Understand the current ST.7
Build the right business model
external PR.5 Pitch the benefits of
partnerships eco-innovation to Capture the current
Define the company vision and
strategic goals of the new busi-
PR.3 Develop a concept for a more the CEO business model ness strategy
sustainable value chain
PR.9
ST.3
Develop a vision for
Develop a value
the company
chain vision Understand the current
PR.6 operational performance ST.8
10
About this Manual
The eco-innovation
implementation process
There are six main phases to the eco-innovation implementation pro- PREPARE SET SET BUSINESS
cess – see Figure 1 for a simple overview. A more detailed overview
is provided in the Activity List at the end of this section. These are:
STRATEGY MODEL
An iterative process
Implementing eco-innovation is an iterative process. So whilst the Legend Example
model and the manual. It should be noted that whilst the model
and the manual suggest that progress during eco-innovation pHASE prepare
implementation proceeds neatly from one phase to the next, it
may sometimes be necessary to revisit a previous phase in light Step: General objective to be Identify the right market for
of changes, developments and new information. This is true of any achieved the eco-innovation services
innovation process and should not be seen as a sign of failure. In fact,
such setbacks will often lead to better results in the long term.
Activities: Practical Evaluate potential
work to carry out markets
An activity based approach Activity acronym PR.1
The eco-innovation implementation process is presented in this manual
as a collection of ‘activities’. Each activity represents a task to be com-
pleted by the Service Provider, often with input from the company or
other stakeholders. To help you make sense of the many activities, they
are grouped into ‘steps’ and ‘phases’. Steps are made up of a number
of activities that have the same overall objective. Phases represent the
major milestones in the implementation of eco-innovation.
Each phase of the process begins with an overview, with all steps
and activities compressed, that will help you to gain a quick, general
understanding of that phase. Similarly, for each step we provide a
page that describes the objective of the step and the suggested
activities. Keep in mind that it is not obligatory to complete every
activity or to complete the activity in the way suggested by the
manual. You can use your knowledge of your particularly context
and your experience to decide whether or not it is necessary to
complete an activity or if there is a more efficient or effective means
to completing the objectives described in the step overview.
12
About this Manual
To help you decide if the suggested activity is relevant to your The activities themselves include an introduction, practical instruc-
needs, each activity has a cover page that provides an overview, tions describing how to go about the activity, and a visual repre-
details of the necessary inputs and expected outputs, and a scale of sentation of the most important elements to keep in mind. For most
the effort it requires. The effort scale has three ratings: activities you will also find a learning case study - which shows how
the eco-innovation methodology could be applied within a fictional
Simple - activities that can be completed on your own in less than a day
company - along with ‘tips and tricks’ from the field and some back-
Requires dialogue - activities that you will need to work with com- ground information.
pany staff, partners or peers, and may involve data analysis or idea
generation
Activity
How to go about it
acronym
Activity name Activity image
Template guide
What is eco-innovation?
Within this manual, the operational approach to ‘eco-innovation’ is There are a number of important points to note from this definition
defined as follows: and model:
Eco-innovation is the development and application of a business • The implementation of eco-innovation must begin with a
model, shaped by a new business strategy that incorporates change in the business strategy – There must be a conscious
sustainability throughout all business operations based on life decision and commitment to embed sustainability into the
cycle thinking and in cooperation with partners across the value business strategy of the company. Once the decision to embark
chain. It entails a coordinated set of modifications or novel solutions upon the long journey towards sustainability implementation has
to products (goods / services), processes, market approach and been made this strategy must filter down, from the strategic level
organizational structure which leads to a company’s enhanced into the business model. Changes at the level of the business
performance and competitiveness. model then pave the way for changes at the operational level
(including the company’s products, customer segments, channels,
A conceptual model of eco-innovation that is based on this definition
customer relationships, revenue streams, production processes,
is shown in Figure 4 below.
key activities, partners and cost structure). Eco-innovation is
therefore a primarily ‘top-down’ process that begins with a change
in business strategy.
• Eco-innovation requires a holistic approach – Eco-innovation
Sustainability
must be holistic in terms of considering all phases of the product
BUSINESS STRATEGY life cycle, from extraction of raw materials through to disposal
at end of life. This will help to ensure that time and effort spent
on eco-innovation helps to make significant progress against
BUSINESS MODEL
the major threats faced by the industry and does not simply shift
problems from one value chain partneror phase of the life cycle to
OPERATIONS another or from one category of problems to another.
• Eco-innovation requires co-operation across the value chain
– The ‘value chain’ is the entire sequence of activities or parties
L if e
C y c le A p p r o a c h that provide or receive value in the form of products or services
(e.g. suppliers, outsources workers, contractors, investors,
R&D, customers, consumers, members) (ISO14001:2015). The
Figure 4: Conceptual model of eco-innovation.
value chain runs in parallel with the product life cycle and so if
16
Why Eco-innovation
a company wants to adopt the life cycle perspective described Why do companies need
above it will also need to consider the other actors in the value
chain. Collaboration with other relevant actors in the value chain
to eco-innovate?
can help to maximize the impact of a company’s eco-innovation In recent decades, there has been a growing recognition amongst
activities by enabling action to be taken in the parts of the value manufacturing business leadrs that sustainability threats such as
chain that have the biggest influence on sustainability issues. It climate change, worker welfare and resource constraints are having a
may be difficult to access, understand and take action in these significant impact on the way manufacturing companies do business.
critical areas of the value chain if working alone. Initiating these These sustainability threats give rise to drivers for change in the
collaborations across the value chain requires the building of way that companies operate. Sticking with the ‘business as usual’
new types of relationships between suppliers, manufacturers, approach will leave companies unable to respond to issues such as
distributors, customers, recyclers for example, and is an important rising energy costs, disruptions to supply of their raw materials or
part of the challenge of eco-innovation. changes in legislation. Ultimately, companies that do not take action
• Eco-innovation should consider all three aspects of now run a higher risk of failure when these issues inevitably take
sustainability: economic, social and environmental – This effect in their industry.
is important because until now most companies have focused There is therefore a growing need to find alternative approaches that
exclusively on the economic benefits they derive from their can help to address sustainability-related business drivers whilst at
activities. In addition, companies must now look for reductions the same time offering opportunities for growth, cost reduction and
in the environmental impacts of their products and try to deliver competitive advantage. Eco-innovation is an approach that aims to
social benefits for customers, employees and stakeholders fulfil these multiple requirements by identifying the key sustainability
(e.g. enhanced gender equality, creation of jobs, better pay and threats and opportunities and then using these to drive changes
working conditions, fairer distribution of profits along the value throughout the company and its value chain, from the business
chain etc.). These are new challenges for most companies, but strategy and business model, through to the operational level.
they must be addressed if the company is to have a profitable,
long-term future and contribute to the development of a When starting to develop eco-innovation implementation services, it
sustainable society. The following sub-section explains how is important to understand what the business case for action will look
companies can gain a competitive advantage whilst making this like from the company’s perspective.
contribution to society. The experiences of companies that have successfully implemented
eco-innovation have highlighted a number of ways in which eco-
17
Why Eco-innovation
innovation can add value for a company. These areas are shown in • Increase profitability along the value chain – Modifying
Figure 5 and are briefly described below. production processes to reduce key impacts, designing products
to allow easier recovery and reuse of materials are some of the
ways to increase profitability along the value chain.
• Stay ahead of standards and regulations – meeting the
requirements of environmental legislation is often viewed as a
costly but necessary activity. However, it can also be a source
of competitive advantage if, for instance, changes in regulations
lead to new market opportunities that are only identified
by leading companies. The benefit of this approach can be
leveraged if the company takes a leadership role and is able to
influence policy makers to introduce legislation that is aligned
with their own best-practice.
• Attract investments – Large companies that are implementing
eco-innovation sometimes struggle to find suppliers or partners
that can make a significant contribution to their sustainability
efforts. Small companies that have shown the capacity to eco-
innovate can therefore attract investment from these large
companies in order to help scale-up production, improve product
quality etc. Public funding and grants can also be easier to obtain
if the company is able to demonstrate significant sustainability
Figure 5: Added value derived from eco-innovation.
benefits as part of a funding proposal.
• Increase productivity and technical capacity – Workers prefer
• Access to new and expanding markets – There are many new working for companies that they believe to be acting in an
market opportunities for companies that eco-innovate. These environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Positioning
might include segments of existing markets with a strong interest the company as a leader in areas such as gender equality,
in sustainability, entirely new, emerging markets, or access to employee welfare, environmental performance and corporate
markets that impose stringent sustainable procurement policies social responsibility can make it easier for the company to
and standards. attract and retain a skilled and motivated workforce, leading
18
Why Eco-innovation
to improvements in productivity and product quality. Also, eco- Fortunately, small companies tend to be flexible and responsive
innovation often requires new skills and competencies. Investing which can help to overcome other deficiencies.
in relevant training to meet these needs has been shown to have
To be a good candidate for eco-innovation, a company should also
a significant pay-off through better terms through better working
be able to recognize the importance of the long term sustainability
practices and greater innovation.
threats faced by their industry and be ready to take action to turn
These drivers for eco-innovation are described in more detail and these threats into opportunities. This requires leadership and a
with real life examples in the accompanying publication ‘The business culture within the company that is open, responsive and willing to
case for eco-innovation’ (UN Environment, 2014). take on big challenges.
The nature of eco-innovation means that it has impact on all There are therefore significant demands placed on a company
areas of a company, from strategy and business model through when trying to implement eco-innovation. But for the companies that
to operational activities such as design, production, purchasing are willing to take on the challenge of eco-innovation the potential
and marketing. For most companies, eco-innovation will involve rewards are equally big and can contribute to the long term survival
a transformation in how they do business. To be successful eco- and success of the company.
innovation must ultimately become embedded in the culture and
However, finding one suitable company within a value chain that is
working practices of the company.
ready and willing to take on the challenge of eco-innovation may
This type of transformative change can be exciting and rewarding not be enough. Tackling the type of important and complex threats
for those involved, but it cannot be accomplished quickly or easily. that eco-innovation is intended to address will generally require
It will require a significant commitment of time, resources and effort collaboration and cooperation across the value chain. Working with
by a company over a sustained period of time to implement eco- customers is essential to understand their needs and requirements
innovation. Securing this type of commitment can be challenging. and to assess the acceptability of alternative solutions. Working
Companies that want to pursue the rewards of eco-innovation will with suppliers is often required to support changes to the design
need to consider their capacity for innovation. Many small and or production of the product or raw material. And where an eco-
medium-sized companies, particularly in conservative, low-growth innovation involves new technology, skills or competencies that are
industries, do not have a strong track record in research and not yet present in the value chain, it may be necessary to bring in
development activities, introducing new products to their range, external partners such as research institutions and universities to
or implementing new ways of working. Therefore, some prior fill these gaps. So instead of focusing on one particular company,
experience, skill and capability in these general innovation activities eco-innovation will require the support of a number of different
will greatly help companies that want to implement eco-innovation. organizations across the value chain and beyond.
19
Why Eco-innovation
Finding the right company, who is ready and able to start • Positioning yourself as a sustainability thought leader –
implementing eco-innovation, along with the right set of partners eco-innovation is a new and exciting topic in its early stages.
to support the eco-innovation activities can seem like a daunting Sustainability demands are increasing more and more globally – it
prospect at first. Nevertheless, it is worth persisting as you can realize is a great opportunity for you to contribute and be a front-runner in
a number of significant benefits, including: your country in the provision of eco-innovation services.
20
Why Eco-innovation
innovation (the process of defining and testing a scalable, of new products (e.g. how to engage the customer, how to structure
repeatable business model that will help a company to achieve its the development process), the introduction of new ways of working
strategic goals). (e.g. how to introduce a sustainable procurement system), and new
• Sector specific knowledge - Is the technical and commercial business models (e.g. how to transition to a product-service system).
knowledge of the sectors in which you will be offering eco-innovation • Organizational change management – Aims to guide and support
services. Technical knowledge requirements include an expert the implementation of changes in organizations, such as new business
knowledge of how the product is produced, the processes involved, processes and structures as well as new/strengthened cultural
who is involved in producing the product, the technical threats faced behaviour and social norms such as ensuring gender-balance in
in the sector. Commercial knowledge requirements include an expert project teams and gender equality in the company.
knowledge of what the main markets are for the product, who are • Marketing – Is the set of activities that are designed to help the
key customers, the business strategies and business models typically company to understand the type of product it should offer to a market
employed in the sector and key commercial threats facing the sector. and communicate the benefits and value of the product to the targeted
• Life cycle thinking – Is a mostly qualitative approach to understand consumer. Marketing focuses on the product, promotion, price and
how our choices influence what happens at each of the stages of the distribution channels.
life cycle of an industrial activity: from raw material acquisition through • Technology transfer – SMEs often lack the resources and capacity
manufacture, distribution, product use and disposal. This approach is to develop fundamental new technology but can often benefit from
needed in order for us to balance trade-offs and positively impact the adopting and adapting technology developed outside of the company.
economy, the environment, and society (UN Environment, 2004). A strong network of contacts covering different sectors, business
• Design for Sustainability – Pro-active approach to the integration and research institutes, along with good technical knowledge and
of environmental, social and economic sustainability issues into the appreciation of the local context are required to support this type of
product development processes, without compromising the traditional activity – making it an ideal role for a Service Provider. Further advice
requirements for a product, such as quality, cost and performance. on the role of the Service Provider in supporting technology transfer
• Creative thinking tools – Approaches that help to identify is provided in the publication Technologies for Eco-innovation (UN
opportunities for innovation and novel solutions to problems by Environment, 2016).
encouraging people to think about an issue in different ways and from Throughout the eco-innovation process you will need to draw on your
different perspectives. knowledge, skills and competencies in these topics. If any of these
• Innovation management – Offers management guidance that can topics are unfamiliar to you, further information can be found in the
support the implementation of innovations such as the development ‘Background information’ section at the end of each activity.
21
PREPARE
Prepare to engage a company and its value chain
and build the potential company’s interest
in the rewards available from eco-innovation
Phase 1 — PR
prepare
activitIES overview
The drivers of eco-innovation are stronger in some markets than in
PR.1 others. Identifying a market that has strong drivers for eco-innovation
Evaluate potential is critical to the success of your eco-innovation activities as it will
markets be easier to convince stakeholders of the need to engage in eco-
innovation and the rewards for all parties are likely to be greater if
you are successful.
26
PR.1
Evaluate
potential markets
Simple activity
27
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
There are three levels of granularity that should be considered when Finally, at the company level, some of the key considerations are:
looking for new markets to target: the sector level, the market level,
• Commercial success – Companies that are profitable and growing
and the company level.
strongly make better targets for eco-innovation services as they
At the sector level, some of the key considerations for choosing a are more likely to have a good senior management team in place
sector to target are the contribution of the sector to environmental and have the financial resources available for investment in eco-
sustainability problems at a global level (such as climate change, innovation implementation.
pollution, resource consumption, water use), the direct social • Innovation track record - Companies that have a good track
sustainability impacts of the sector (on issues such as gender equality, record of innovation in terms of their products, operations and
job creation and worker welfare), and the amount of attention the business model are more likely to be able to cope with the
sector receives from NGOs regarding sustainability issues in the sector. demands of eco-innovation, which requires innovation in many
At the market level, some of the key considerations are: areas of the company.
• Existing sustainability performance – Companies that have
• Supporting policy and finance - If your country has a National
already publicly shown their commitment to improving their
Development Plan or a Sustainable Consumption and Production
sustainability performance and have experienced the benefits of
Strategy, this can provide a good source of information about
pursuing sustainability activities (such as Cleaner Production and
national priority sectors and long term sustainability targets.
environmental management) are more likely to be successful at
Focusing on these priority sectors can make it easier to gain
eco-innovation.
support and funding from government organizations.
• Credibility and channel - Which sectors and markets do you currently It is important to complete this process of analysing sectors, markets
work with? Do you have existing contacts (senior management at and types of company in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Rush-
relevant companies) in a sector or market that could support you? Or ing this process can result in a poor choice of target market, which in
would you be starting from scratch? turn will lead to significant time and effort being wasted on companies
that are not really committed to/suitable for eco-innovation.
• Growth and profitability – Markets where growth, margins and prof-
itability are good are more likely to have funds available to invest
in eco-innovation and your consulting services.
28
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
29
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
A2 - To what extent does the sector contribute to global consumption of non-re- • Contribution is negligible. [0 points]
newable resources and potable water (taking into account the full lifecycle of
A4. How important is the sector for the national economy?
the product or service delivered by the sector)?
• High importance, contributes over 15% of GDP or employs over 15% of workforce
• Major contributor e.g. agriculture, chemicals, automotive, energy etc. [2 points]
[2 points]
• Minor contributor e.g. Insurance, banking, software etc. [1 point]
• Medium importance, contributes over 5% of GDP or employs over 5% of
• Contribution is negligible. [0 points] workforce [1 point]
A3. To what extent does the sector contribute to global pollution problems (taking • Low importance, contributes less than 5% of GDP and employs less than 5% of
into account the full lifecycle of the product or service delivered by the sector)? workforce [0 points]
N.B. A 2012 report defined the 10 worst global pollution problems as follows: A5. To what extent has this sector been targeted by Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) to encourage improvements in sustainability performance?
30
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
B - Markets-level analysis • Major changes required to meet new or forthcoming legislative requirements
[2 points]
Description of the market: Canned tuna producers selling to domestic and
international markets. • Moderate changes required to meet new or forthcoming legislative
Score: 16/20 requirements [1 point]
N.B. Questions B1-B6 assess the likely demand for eco-innovation services in • No new or forthcoming legislation. [0 points]
the market. Questions B7-B10 assess the probability that your organization could
List the relevant legislation that you have identified in the space below: Fisheries
successfully provide this service.
Ministry currently considering imposing fishing quotas on tuna.
B1. How strong is the growth of this market?
B5. How interested are the end customers of this market in improved sustainability
• Strong (>5% per year) [2 points] performance?
• Moderate (2-5% per year) [1 point] • Major interest – willing to switch products/suppliers or pay a price premium for
• Weak (<2% per year) [0 points] better sustainability performance. [2 points]
• Moderate interest – information about sustainability performance is considered as
B2. How strong is the competition in this market?
part of the purchase decision, but not a deciding factor. [1 point]
• Strong (6+ companies competing) [2 points]
• No interest. [0 points]
• Moderate (2-5 companies competing) [1 point]
B6. Are there trends that would encourage eco-innovation in this market?
• Monopoly (1 company) [0 points]
Relevant trends might include: new energy efficient technologies being
B3. To what extent is government policy encouraging and supporting moves developed; companies marketing products based on sustainability characteristics;
towards improved sustainability performance? a workforce that is motivated to support progress on sustainability issues etc.
• Major support from policy, including financial measures. [2 points] • Yes, several strong trends that would encourage eco-innovation. [2 points]
• Moderate support from policy, but no financial measures. [1 point] • Possibly, one or two weak trends that would encourage eco-innovation. [1
• No support from policy. [0 points] point]
• No relevant trends. [0 points]
B4. Is this market affected by new or forthcoming legislation?
31
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
List the trends that you have identified for this market in the space below: Development market based on geographic location?
of more sustainable Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) that help to avoid by-catch.
• Relatively easy – majority of market, including final customer, is within the same
Concerns from international NGOs about overfishing.
country [2 points]
B7. Do you have existing customers, reputation and credibility in this market? • Somewhat difficult – significant proportion of market or final customer is in a
• Yes, significant number of existing customers and well known in this market. different country [1 point]
[2 points] • Very difficult – majority of market, including final customer, is in a different
• Yes, some existing customers but not well known in this market. [1 point] country [0 points]
B8. Are the potential companys in this market similar to the types of organization
that we normally choose to work with? Would they make good companys for our
organization? C - Company-level analysis
• Yes, exactly the type of company that we aim to work with. [2 points] Name of the company: Tuna Processing Company
• Possibly, some similarities but some differences. [1 point] Score: 6/10
• No, not the type of company that we aim to work with. [0 points] C1. To what extent is sustainability an explicit and public part of the core strategy
and values of the company?
B9. Do we have the necessary sector and market knowledge within our
organisation today to deliver eco-innovation services to this market? • Major focus on sustainability – public statements or literature explicitly stating
that sustainability is a core part of the company strategy and values. [2 points]
• Yes, we have several staff with relevant sector and market knowledge
• Moderate focus on sustainability – sustainability not mentioned in company
[2 points]
strategy or values but some evidence of interest in sustainability performance.
• Possibly, we have one member of staff with some relevant sector and market
[1 point]
knowledge. [1 point]
• No existing focus on sustainability. [0 points]
• No relevant sector or market knowledge. [0 points]
C2. To what extent is sustainability performance of the company’s products and
B10. How easy would it be to collaborate with other organisations within this
32
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
services part of their product marketing and positioning? • No experience or existing capability in managing environmental issues.
[0 points]
• Major focus on sustainability – sustainability performance a major and
consistent feature of the marketing and branding of the products and services C5. What is the position of the company in their market?
of the company. [2 points]
• Market leader. [2 points]
• Moderate focus on sustainability –a minor and occasional feature of the
marketing and branding of the products and services of the company. • Not the market leader. [0 points]
[1 point]
• No existing focus on sustainability in marketing and positioning. [0 points].
C3. What experience and capability does the company have in innovation?
C4. What experience and capability does the company have in managing
environmental issues?
33
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
34
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
Table 1: Attributes of an organisation important for eco-innovation and the type of company.
Attribute Relevance for eco-innovation Start-up Micro enterprise Small or Medium enterprise
Strategic inertia (re- High strategic inertia will re- Low – Still learning about mar- Low-moderate – Likely to have strategy Moderate-high – Well-established strat-
sistance to change quire more effort to initiate and kets, competitors. May not yet and business model which they can egy and business model which may be
in strategy and implement changes in strategy have decided on strategy and articulate but low level of maturity. difficult to change.
business model) and business model. business model.
Operational inertia If the company has made large Low – unlikely to have made Low-moderate – Likely to have estab- Moderate-high – Likely to have sig-
(resistance to investments in production equip- significant capital investments lished particular ways of working but nificant capital investments in current
change in opera- ment or has well established in production equipment or may not yet have made large capital technology, personnel etc.
tions) ways of working it will be harder personnel and still working out investments in production equipment.
to make changes in these areas. best ways of working.
Attitude to risk and Eco-innovation, like any inno- Willing to take risks – Entre- Moderately risk averse – Having Increasingly risk averse – Typically,
risk management vation activity, will involve some preneurs are typically willing to survived the start-up phase, micro companies become more risk averse as
risk. The company must be take risks but lack of resources enterprises will probably have expe- they grow larger. However, well estab-
willing to take calculated risks and systems for formal risk rienced some tough periods and so lished companies will tend to have better
and capable of managing those analysis and management can begin to become more risk aware systems in place for managing risk.
risks. result in failure. and sensitive to risk taking.
Innovation The greater the quantity of Limited – very few staff and Limited-moderate – Few staff and Moderate – Larger number of staff may
resources financial, technical and human narrow range of expertise, very narrow range of expertise but may include wider range of expertise and
resources available for innova- limited financial resources. have better access to finance if the more likely to be able to access addition-
tion the easier it will be to initi- company has a stable financial track al financial resources from investors of
ate eco-innovation activities. record. government schemes.
Decision making Senior management within the Rapid and responsive – Every- Efficient – Without multiple layers Becoming bureaucratic – May have
style company will be required to thing is decided by company of management, decisions can still formalized decision-making procedures
make important decisions at ev- founders so decisions are be taken efficiently but may require and bodies such as a Board of Directors.
ery step of the eco-innovation made quickly. more time for consideration than in a Such procedures will tend to slow down
process. start-up. the decision-making process.
35
PR.1 Evaluate potential markets
36
37
Step
activitIES overview
To deliver a high quality, credible service to your selected market, you
PR.2 need to build a team with the right combination of skills, knowledge
Build the right and experience. This involves having the right people in your
internal team internal team but can also involve building partnerships with other
PR.3 organisations.
Build the
right external
partnerships
38
PR.2
Building the right
internal team
Simple activity
39
PR.2 Building the right internal team
40
PR.2 Building the right internal team
41
PR.2 Building the right internal team
Competence, skill or Essential Do we have this competence, skill If not, how can you get the competence/skill/knowledge you need?
knowledge type or and knowledge in-house?
beneficial
Team Team Team Training Recruit Partnership Buy-in Others Comments on
beneficial?
member 1 member 2 member 3 services solution proposed
Innovation Beneficial
management
Marketing Beneficial
42
PR.2 Building the right internal team
43
44
PR.3
Build the
right external
partnerships
Requires dialogue
45
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships
Building partnerships with other organisations is an essential part • Trade promotion organizations – Many national governments
of eco-innovation, either as a means to gain competencies, skills or have a trade promotion agency. These can be a useful source of
knowledge that are missing in your internal team or to enhance the export and trade data to help you identify the major export sectors
credibility and effectiveness your eco-innovation services. Making of your country and the companies involved in those sectors.
initial contact with relevant organizations at this stage will help to • Ministry for commerce or industry – These organizations can often
build a stronger pitch to a company or provide useful contacts within provide support for small and medium enterprises providing help such as
your target market. business mentoring and access to finance.
The Competencies Checklist template helps you to identify • Possible financiers – Local banks, investment angels and other
stakeholders specific to your target market and think about how sources of finance should be approached if there is a strong
they could contribute to your eco-innovation services and activities likelihood that funding will be required at some point. These
within that market. organizations may need to be educated on what eco-innovation
is and what the long term benefits for the company will be. An
You should also think about more general partnerships that could
important point to keep in mind when preparing a pitch for funding
help you to build a more complete service offering or provide access
is to focus on the key issues and metrics from the investors
to a wider range of companies. The types of organizations that might
perspective e.g. return on investment, payback period, risk
provide this type of general support and partnership in your eco-
management and suchlike.
innovation activities include:
• Research institutes – Having access to research and development
• Innovation hubs/National Cleaner Production Centres – If you facilities and relevant technical know-how can be crucial to
are based within an NCPC then your organization may benefit the success of projects involving some amount of technology
from partnering with an innovation hub, which will have experience development. Small and medium sized companies will almost
of supporting companies through strategy and business model certainly not have their own facilities and so they will need to gain
innovation. Conversely, if you are based within an innovation access to these facilities elsewhere. Universities and research
hub, then your organization may benefit from partnering with an centres are often willing to provide free or low cost access to their
NCPC who have significant technical expertise and an extensive facilities and staff in return for permission to use the research data
knowledge of sustainability issues. or case study information in research, teaching or marketing.
• Local development agency – A development agency in your
region may be able to identify and help you apply for regional,
national or international sources of funding to get your eco-
innovation services started.
46
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships
2. Generate ideas for how each of the stakeholders identified could Business
Supply chain Customers
potentially contribute to eco-innovation activities at the company name
– capture these ideas on sticky notes and place them on the Life
Cycle Stakeholders template next to the relevant stakeholder.
Professional
interest
47
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships
Professional interest
Port authority Universities Friends of the Earth
Marine Stewardship
Trade Council
Fisheries association
Agency
Local
Employees government
Fisher people
Distributors
Company
Supply chain
Chemical supplier
Customers
Tuna
processing Retailers
Retort oven companies
Logistics provider
supplier
Can supplier
End consumer
Residents close
to factory
Oil supplier
48
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
References and resources
Trade promotion organizations:
49
Step
activitIES overview
In the activity PR.1 Evaluate potential markets you should have
PR.4 PR.5 applied the Target Identification template to help select a target
Identify sustainability Identify the general market for your new eco-innovation services. Now you need to
hotspots across the opportunities and enhance your knowledge of this market in order to understand the
value chain threats across the sustainability hotspots and the main threats and opportunities faced
value chain by the market. To do this you will need to consider the wider ‘value
chain’ that your target market is a part of.
50
PR.4
Identify
sustainability
hotspots across
the value chain
Requires dialogue
51
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
Sustainability hotspots are the most significant impacts in the value HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
chain or the life cycle of a product or service system and can be
used to identify impact improvement opportunities and to prioritize Create the life cycle inventory
impact reduction actions (UN Environment/SETAC, 2014). To identify 1. Prepare a life cycle inventory diagram that shows each of the main
sustainability hotspots we can use ‘hotspot analysis’, which helps to activities that occur in each phase of the product life cycle (Raw
filter and distil large volumes of information to identify and prioritise material extraction, Production, Transportation, Use, and End-of-
hotspots for further investigation or action by industry, governments life), the physical inputs to each activity (use of material, water,
and other stakeholders. Hotspot analysis enables you to prioritise energy) and the outputs of each activity in terms of the ‘Product
resources and actions in industry sectors, product categories or outputs’ (intermediary products and by-products) and ‘Emissions’
individual products that really matter by virtue of their environmental, (emissions to air, water and soil).
social and ethical impact profile and /or their physical trading volumes 2. Decide which of the activities you will include in your analysis and
and economic value in the economy. A common feature of hotspots which you will not. Use these decisions to draw the ‘Life cycle
analysis is the presentation of information and findings in accessible boundary’ on your life cycle inventory diagram.
formats, including for non-technical audiences, who are often the key
3. Using the life cycle inventory diagram and the life cycle boundary
decision-makers in policy and business settings (UN Environment/
you have selected, fill in the first four columns of the Life Cycle
SETAC, 2014).
Thinking template, which capture the key physical inputs and
Identifying sustainability hotspots is a key activity within ‘Life Cycle outputs throughout the five major life cycle stages.
Thinking’. Life Cycle Thinking is a mostly qualitative approach to Identify the life cycle impacts and sustainability hotspots
understand how our choices influence what happens at each of the
4. Using the life cycle inventory, fill in the remaining columns of the Life
stages of the life cycle of a product or service: from raw material
Cycle Thinking template with corresponding environmental, social
acquisition through manufacture, distribution, product use and
and economic impacts that occur across the value chain, proceed-
disposal. This approach is needed in order for us to balance trade-
ing activity by activity. Note that the social impacts are categorised
offs and positively impact the economy, the environment, and society
by stakeholder, as follows:
(UN Environment, 2004).
• On workers - Examples of possible social impacts on workers
include: health & safety, wages, social benefits, working
hours, child labour, forced labour, discrimination, freedom of
association and collective bargaining, employment relationship,
52
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
training and education, work-life balance, job satisfaction and Template of Life Cycle Inventory
engagement, and gender equality
• On customers/cunsumers - Examples of possible social impacts Emissions Activities
on custumers and consumers include: health & safety, gender out of
equality, experienced well-being, and privacy. scope
• On other stakeholders - Examples of possible social impacts
on other stakeholders include: health & safety, noise,
odours, access to tangible resources, local capacity building,
employment, and community engagement
• Rate each of the sustainability impacts you have identified using Key activities and product outputs
the scale ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ and ‘High’ impact. These ratings should
be based on your understanding of how significant the impacts
and will be, although these ratings will be quite subjective at this
stage. Any impact that must be controlled to comply with local
or international legislation relevant to companies in the value
chain, or the conditions of a permit, should automatically be given
a ‘High’ rating. This is indicated in the example below by the
Inputs
letter in brackets, where: H= High, M= Medium, L=Low. A ‘+’ sign
indicates a positive sustainability impact
5. Decide where the sustainability hotspots are by:
• Identifying cells of the Life Cycle Thinking matrix that contain
several different medium or high-rated impacts.
• Identifying activities that lead to several different medium or
high-rated impacts.
6. Make a note of the sustainability hotspots you have identified.
53
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
Learning Case Study OF Life Cycle Inventory
Emissions
Activities
GHG out of scope
GHG GHG GHG
emissions, GHG
emissions, emissions, emissions, GHG GHG GHG
waste water, emissions,
waste water, waste water, waste water, emissions emissions emissions
by-catch waste brine GHG
lost tuna lost tuna lost tuna
waste emissions,
waste tuna
Frozen tuna Frozen tuna Frozen tuna Canned tuna Canned tuna Canned tuna Canned tuna Canned tuna Waste tuna
Inputs
Fuel, Ice Electricity, Ice Fuel, Ice Fuel, Fuel Electricity Fuel Electricity Fuel
Electricity,
water, Salt,
Cans
54
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
Using the previous diagram, the first half of the Life Cycle Thinking Template of Life Cycle Thinking
template is completed (see the underlined column headings).
The sustainability impacts are then listed and evaluated in the second Environmental Economic
half of the Life Cycle Thinking template (the rest) - as shown on the Social Impacts impacts
impacts
following page.
Ecosystem quality
The results of Life Cycle Thinking template is that for the
On stakeholders
Product outputs
On consumers
tuna processing value chain described in the case study
Resource use
On workers
the sustainability hotspots are:
Profitability
Emissions
• Fishing activity, which is linked to the medium and high impacts
Activity
Phase
Inputs
of tuna stock depletion, slavery-like conditions on board fishing
vessels, rising cost of fresh tuna supplies, and fishermen leaving
industry to seek higher wages.
• Energy intensity of the production phase, which is caused by fuel
use for cold storage at factory and the high energy use in cooking
process.
• Significant fish loss and waste caused by fish loss at market,
damaging of tins during transportation, and tuna wasted by the
consumer.
55
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
Learning Case Study OF Life Cycle Thinking
Phase Activity Inputs Product Emissions Resource use Ecosystem On workers On On Profitability
outputs quality consumers stakeholders
• Fishing • Fuel • Frozen tuna • GHG emissions • Resource • Climate • Falling wages
(diesel) (at dock) • Waste water depletion - fossil change forcing fishers
• Ice fuels (M) (M) to leave
• By-catch
• Marine industry (M)
(wasted)
species • Slavery like
extinction conditions on
(H) some fishing
vessels (H)
• Sale at • Electricity • Frozen tuna • GHG emissions • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Noise - • Rising cost of
market (100% coal) (at dock) • Waste water depletion - fossil change (L) at market (M) from early tuna - due to
Materials
• Transport • Fuel • Frozen tuna • GHG emissions • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Cost of lost tuna
to factory (diesel) (at factory) • Waste water depletion - fossil change (L) for delivery (M)
• Ice fuels (L) driver (M)
• Lost tuna
56
Economic
Environmental impacts Social Impacts
impacts
Phase Activity Inputs Product Emissions Resource use Ecosystem On workers On consumers On Profitability
outputs quality stakeholders
• Tuna • Fuel (diesel) • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Cost of lost
cooking • Electricity (at factory) emissions depletion - change (H) at factory (M) tuna (M)
Production
• Transport • Fuel (diesel) • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Noise - • Cost of lost tuna
Transportation
to retailer • Pallets (at retailer) emissions depletion - change (L) for delivery from early (M)
• Lost tuna fossil fuels driver (M) morning • Cost of
(damaged (L) lorry transportation
cans) movements (L)
(L)
Sale at • Electricity • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Revenue to
retailer (100% coal) (at retailer) emissions depletion - change (L) at retailer (M) retailer (M)
fossil fuels • Revenue to
(L) producer (M)
Transport to • Fuel (petrol) • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate
house (at house) emissions depletion - change (L)
fossil fuels
Use
(L)
Preparation • Electricity • Waste tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Human health
and eating (100% coal) (at home) emissions depletion - change (L) - consumption
fossil fuels of tuna (L)
(L) • Human health
risk - mercury
content of
tuna (M)
Disposal of • Fuel (diesel) • Waste tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Bad odours
waste (at landfill) emissions depletion - change (L) at waste from landfill
End of life
57
PR.4 Identify sustainability
hotspots across the value chain
Tips & Tricks BACKGROUND INFORMATION
References and resources
HELP TO SPOT IMPACTS • Are there some positive POSITIVE IMPACTS
If you are struggling to impacts as well as the Remember that impacts Hotspot analysis:
identify sustainability negative? can be positive as well as • “Hotspots Analysis: mapping of existing methodologies, tools
impacts consider the negative. For example, and guidance and initial recommendations for the development
following prompts: “Jobs secured at factory” of global guidance” (2014). UN Environment DTIE, Paris. Available
DESK RESEARCH is a positive social impact from: http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/
• Where and when are the
ACTIVITY that could be captured in UNEP-Hotspots-Mapping-Project-Final-Report-Phase-1.pdf
most significant costs
This activity is intended the Production phase.
incurred across the life Life Cycle Assessment:
cycle of the product? to be completed through
desk research. You should • Joint UN Environment-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. Available from:
• What are the most
not contact prospective http://www.life cycleinitiative.org/
significant resources MULTIPLE IMPACTS
client companies during • UN Environment, (2009). Guidelines for Social Life Cycle
(energy, materials An activity can have
this activity to help gather Assessment of Products. UN Environment, Paris. Available
and water) consumed multiple types of
information as there will from: http://www.unep.org/publications/search/pub_details_s.
throughout the product sustainability impact. In
generally be other sources asp?ID=4102
life cycle? these cases list the activity
and making contact too
• Where are resources and its impact in each Social Impact Assessment
early may frustrate the
being wasted or of the relevant cells. • Handbook for Product Social Impact Assessment Available from:
potential client and make
underutilized? http://product-social-impact-assessment.com/
them less willing to engage
• Where are there toxic with you at a later stage. Further resources are provided in the ‘Background information’ for
chemicals used and
the activity PR.5 Identify the general opportunities and threats across
how are they prevented
the value chain.
from impacting the
KEEP IMPACTS SPECIFIC
environment or human Also further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals
Try to make the impacts
health? and Metals Supplements
you capture as specific
• How does the product and detailed as possible.
value chain impact on
local stakeholders?
58
PR.5
Identify the
general
opportunities and
threats across the
value chain
Requires dialogue
59
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
To help you identify general opportunities and threats for the value Template of PESTEL prompts
chain you can use the PESTEL framework. PESTEL is often used
by a company to scan their environment for emerging issues that Definition Prompting questions
may influence their success and strategy. Applying PESTEL involves
searching the external environment of the company for significant
Political
issues or trends related to the following headings: political,
economic, social, technological, environmental and legal.
2. Capture the issues and trends you have identified in the PESTEL
template provided.
60
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
Learning Case Study OF PESTEL Prompts
Includes issues such as policy context, including • Is the government in your country implementing sustainable procurement principles?
tax policy, labour law, environmental law, trade • Is it possible that a change of government could lead to a significant positive or negative shift in support for
Political
Refers to the general economic situation in • How is the economy in your country performing?
the value chain e.g. economic growth, interest • How is the economy performing in countries served by your target value chain (in cases where there are international
rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. markets)?
Economic
Relates to social trends, demographics and • How is the market changing in terms of demographics, attitudes etc.?
cultural aspects such as health consciousness, • What is the ‘industry buzz’?
population growth rate, age distribution etc.
• What are people in the markets served by the value chain talking about and wanting?
Social
61
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
Includes issues such as R&D activity, • What new technology is emerging in this market? Or in related markets?
automation, technology incentives and the rate • What global technology trends might impact this market? Examples of technology trends include: The ’Internet
of technological change within a value chain. of Things’, ’Big Data’ analytics, ’Additive Manufacture’, ’Mass customisation’ and ’Artificial intelligence’ (further
Technological
information about these trends can be found in the Background Information section of this activity)
Can refer to issues such as the abundance • How is government policy supporting (or hindering) eco-innovation in your country?
Environmental
of raw materials, eco-labelling practices, • What voluntary environmental standards are being implemented by leading companies in the industry?
environmental policy and regulation, long-
term risks from climate change (e.g. flooding,
drought, sea-level rises).
All types of legislation that may impact the • How is legislation supporting (or hindering) eco-innovation in your country?
value chain such as discrimination law, • Are any changes to employment or health and safety law expected?
consumer law, antitrust law, employment law,
Legal
62
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
• Time scale - When will the issue will start to have an impact Template of PESTEL
on the value chain? Indicate the expected timescale using the
categories of: ‘Within 6 months’, ‘Within 2 years’, or ‘More than Description Time Impact Likelihood Significance
2 years’ time’.
5. Decide which of the issues are ‘significant’ for the value chain by:
• Calculating the significance score, where Significance = Impact POLITICAL
x Probability.
• Decide what score to use as the threshold for significance - 9
is suggested.
ECONOMIC
• Review the table and highlight any issues that have a significance
score greater than or equal to the significance threshold.
TECHNOLOGICAL
ENVIROMENTAL
LEGAL
63
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
Learning Case Study OF PESTEL
Heading Description of issue/trend [Source or example] Time scale Impact Likelihood Significance
(0-6/7-24/24+ (1= Very low, 5= (1=very unlikely, (Impact x
months) Very high) 5 = certain) Likelihood)
POLITICAL EU Common Fisheries Policy imposing limits on catch within Euro- 7-24 months 2 3 6
pean waters. [EU:http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/index_en.htm]
ECONOMIC International fishing companies obtaining licenses to fish in the 0-6 months 4 4 16
region (who do not process their catch in the region where it is
caught). [ Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/oceans/tuna]
SOCIAL Reports of slavery-like conditions on board tuna fishing vessels, 0-6 months 3 3 9
with links to human trafficking. [ Environmental Justice Foundation:
http://ejfoundation.org/oceans/slaveryatsea]
64
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
Heading Description of issue/trend [Source or example] Time scale Impact ikelihood Significance
(0-6/7-24/24+ (1= Very low, 5= (1=very unlikely, 5 (Impact x
months) Very high) = certain) Likelihood)
ENVIRONMENTAL Concerns about overfishing and the impact of by catch on the 0-6 months 5 4 20
marine eco-system associated with purse seine and long line fishing
methods [FAO report: http://www.fao.org/fishery/fishtech/40/en]
Plastic waste in oceans is accumulating in fish and causing increases 24+ months 2 3 8
in toxicity of fish products. [Montana State University: http://serc.
carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/plastics.html]
LEGAL Some countries considering news laws to protect rights and 0-6 months 3 2 6
welfare workers in the fishing industry. [Slave free seas: http://
slavefreeseas.org/workspace/downloads/itf-28-march-2014.pdf]
66
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
• Informal events – is there somewhere where you can meet relevant many person-years’ worth of research into the key sustainability
people from your target market on an informal basis. For example, is threats and opportunities facing the industries they represent.
there a ‘Green Drinks’ initiative in your area (http://www.greendrinks. • Technical patents – the advent of online, searchable patent
org/)? If not, could you start one? database has made it much easier to find relevant patents. Free
• Trade publications – many industries have trade publications that to access databases, such as Espacenet (http://www.epo.org/
provide information on the latest developments in research and searching/free/espacenet.html) which includes over 80 million
development as well as articles on significant threats for the industry. patents and patent applications, can be used to find solutions to
• Technology blogs and open innovation platforms – Blogs existing problems or to monitor the research and development
focused on technology for developing and transitional economies activities of companies that you are interested in. If the patent
such as the World Bank blog (http://blogs.worldbank.org/ - search office in your country does not have an online patent database,
for relevant tags such as ‘Environment’, ‘Climate change’, ‘Social you can always look at patents from relevant companies in other
development’ etc.) can provide useful information on technologies markets to get an understanding of trends and developments that
being applied in other markets around the world which might be might be useful for companies in your target market.
transferrable to your country. Open innovation platforms, such • National government departments for trade and industry, trade
as Yet2 (http://www.yet2.com/), are places where companies can associations, SME associations and chambers of commerce
provide details of technical problems they are trying to solve as – each of these can be interesting sources of data, although
well as novel technologies they have developed which are yet to the variety and quality of data will vary significantly from one
find an application. organization to the next.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports – These reports • National departments for social rights should be able to provide data
provide information on the environmental and social sustainability on gender equality and women’s empowerment within the country.
performance of the company on a wide variety of issues, • Academic and private research centres – from the websites,
including gender equality. Many large companies now produce email newsletters and publications of research centres you should
an annual CSR report in accordance with standards and schemes be able establish if there are research groups working on issues
such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI database that may be relevant to your eco-innovation services. If so, you
(http://database.globalreporting.org/) contains over 15,000 reports may wish to build links with key personnel at those centres so
and can be searched by sector. Part of the reporting process is to that both sides have an understanding of the others interests and
determine, using a systematic approach incorporating feedback competencies, which will facilitate future collaborations.
from stakeholders, which sustainability issues are ‘material’
(important) for the company. These reports therefore represent
67
PR.5 Identify the general opportunities
and threats across the value chain
Quantitative data on markets and trends can be found in a South African Online Patent Search. Free access to patents filed in
variety of places. Sources include: South Africa. Available from: http://patentsearch.cipc.co.za
• International Trade Centre (ITC) – general data on international China Patent Information Center. Free access to patents filed in the
trade. Available from: http://www.intracen.org/ People’s Republic of China. Available from: http://search.cnpat.com.
• World Trade Organization (WTO) – general data on international trade cn/CPRS2010/cnSimpleSearchEn.html
and market trends, including interactive trade maps. Available from:
Global technology trends:
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/statis_e.htm
World Economic Forum (2015). The global information technology
• UN Comtrade Database – general data on international trade
report 2015: ICTs for inclusive growth. Available from: http://www3.wefo-
Available from: http://comtrade.un.org/
rum.org/docs/WEF_Global_IT_Report_2015.pdf
• Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries
McKinsey Global Institute (2013). Disruptive technologies: Advances
(CBI) – data on EU markets and trading with partners within the EU.
that will transform life, business, and the global economy. Available
Available from: http://www.cbi.eu/marketintel_platform
from: http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/business-
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – data on
technology/our-insights/disruptive-technologies
global food prices and sustainability threats being faced by the agri-
food sector. Available from: http://www.fao.org/ Accenture (2016). People First: The Primacy of People in a Digital Age.
Available from: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insight-technology-
• COLEACP – information on sustainable horticulture. Available from:
trends-2016.aspx
http://www.coleacp.org/en
• National government departments for trade and industry. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2015).
• Trade associations. Available from: http://unctad.org/en/pages/publications/Technology-
Innovation-Report.aspx
• Chambers of commerce and/or industry.
• Social rights associations. Dickens, R., Kelly, M., Williams, J. R. (2013). What are the significant
• Women’s rights associations. trends shaping technology relevant to manufacturing? Foresight,
Government Office for Science. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/
Online patent databases: government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/277164/
Espacenet. Covers over 80 million patents and patent applications ep6-technology-trends-relevant-to-manufacturing.pdf
from around the world. Available from: http://www.epo.org/searching/free/
Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
espacenet.html
Metals Supplements
68
69
Step
activitIES overview
By this stage you should have built a better understanding of the
PR.6 sustainability hotspots and the significant threats and opportunities
Develop a value within the value chain that you are targeting. You can now use this
chain vision knowledge to develop a vision of a sustainable value chain (referred
to from this point onwards as the ‘value chain vision’).
70
PR.6
Develop a value
chain vision
Requires dialogue
71
PR.6 Developing a value chain vision
The value of developing a value chain vision is that it will provide the Template of Value Chain Vision
’big picture’ that can be used to guide your activities with companies
within this value chain. On a practical level it will help you to decide
who you need to be working with (partnerships), and who you should
Threats and Vision Partnerships
target first with your services (clients). The value chain vision does
opportunities
not need to be detailed but should outline how the sustainability
hotspots, threats and opportunities can be addressed.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Review the sustainability hotspots and the significant threats and
opportunities that you identified using Life Cycle Thinking and
PESTEL templates.
2. Try to envision a situation in 5-10 years’ time in which the
sustainability hotspots and threats for the value chain have been
resolved (or drastically reduced) and the opportunities have been
realised.
3. Write a brief description of the situation that exists in this future
state, mentioning each of the major threats and opportunities that
Clients
have been addressed.
4. Review your draft value chain vision with colleagues before
finalising.
72
PR.6 Developing a value chain vision
73
PR.6 Developing a value chain vision
74
75
Step
activitIES overview
This stage of the process is about communicating some basic
PR.7 information about eco-innovation and your eco-innovation services to
Develop a value companies in your target market to try and catch their attention and
chain pitch create leads that you can follow-up on. This requires having a well
PR.8 prepared pitch that resonates with the needs of the value chain and
Plan and implement then presenting this pitch to relevant companies through a variety of
engagement communication channels.
activities
76
PR.7
Develop a value
chain pitch
Requires dialogue
77
PR.7 Developing a value chain pitch
The Value Chain Pitch is a document that describes the key Template of Value Chain Pitch
messages that you want to communicate to companies in your target
market that will describe the potential benefits of eco-innovation and
make them want to learn more about eco-innovation and the eco- Threats and Market Key messages
innovation services that you offer. Exactly how you use the document opportunities
will depend on the types of events and communication channels you
use when you begin to engage companies. However, it is important
to create a Value Chain Pitch document so that the key messages to
the potential customer are consistent, no matter what format they are
delivered or who in your team is delivering them.
Once complete, the Value Chain Pitch will be the basis for all your
communication and engagement activities, whether it is preparing a Company
presentation for a seminar, writing a white paper, or creating an eco-
innovation service flyer.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Define the type of organisation a particular message is for (the
’target market’) and who specifically within the organisation the
message is intended for (the ’target audience’) before detailing the
actual key messages. Contact
2. Define what the key messages should be for your target market person picture
and audience by reviewing the sustainability hotspots and
significant threats and opportunities and then describing how eco-
innovation can help to address and the threats and make the most
of the opportunities.
Name and role
3. Repeat this process for each of the different types of target
market and target audience that you want to communicate with.
78
PR.7 Developing a value chain pitch
Owner/Director/CEO
79
PR.7 Developing a value chain pitch
80
PR.8
Plan and
implement
engagement
activities
Requires dialogue
81
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
With your Value Chain Pitch created, you are now ready to begin innovation. They are often keen to find new ways of supporting
engaging companies in your target market. This can be done in many their members and offering new services.
ways. You should have already identified some relevant companies • Initiate a project to address a sector-wide challenge or opportuni-
in your target value chains when completing the Target Identification ty. If funding for the project can be secured, this can facilitate the
template. You could approach relevant government agencies, recruitment of industrial partners to provide further investment.
trade associations and the like who may be able to offer personal
• Make use of the partnerships you have developed. If you have
introductions to the companies you have identified or give you details
developed partnerships then think about what new contacts
of other relevant companies. You might also be able to obtain some
they may be able to provide. Also, how could you work together
government funding to help launch your new eco-innovation services
with your partners to build greater reach and impact for your
if there is a good fit with policy goals.
marketing events?
Clearly, there are many other ways of generating interest in eco- • Organize a ‘CEO Forum’ which introduces the concept and ben-
innovation within your target market and your understanding of the efits of eco-innovation to business leaders in your target market.
market will help to determine the most appropriate and effective option.
• Develop a market-specific presentation about the drivers and
Whichever approach you chose, the ultimate aim is to secure a meeting
opportunities for eco-innovation within that sector market and
with the CEO of a prospective client in order to discuss the next steps
then contact individual companies from within that target sector
and gain approval to proceed to the SET STRATEGY phase.
market to arrange a meeting to deliver this presentation.
• Contact the customers and stakeholders of a company and
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT ask them how they rate the sustainability performance of the
1. Generate an initial list of the types of activity you could complete to company. If you identify an area where the company is failing
start engaging companies in your target market. Some initial ideas to live up to stakeholder expectations this can be useful
to get you started are provided below: information for the company.
• Present an overview of eco-innovation services when visiting • Publish a White Paper on the business benefits of eco-innovation
companies that you work with already that fall within your target targeted at your target market. A White Paper is a piece of
markets for eco-innovation. marketing literature, typically around 4 to 5 pages in length,
which describes a new approach or new product that can help
• Contact the relevant trade or industrial association or Chambers
to solve a business problem. When writing a White Paper, it is
of Commerce for your target market to discuss the opportunities
important to clearly identify the audience for the White Paper and
to run joint events and co-promotion on the topic of eco-
provide suitable content and language for your target audience
82
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
(i.e. if your intended audience is the CEO of the company the Template of Company Engagement Planning
focus should be on the business benefits, capital costs etc.
not the technical detail of a solution). Try to include pictures,
List of potential engagement activities Criteria Score
diagrams and examples where possible to help explain and
reinforce the points you are making. Some relevant content can
be found in the ‘Business case for eco-innovation’ published by
UN Environment but try to complement this with examples and
arguments that are more specific to your region, country and
target market. Once complete, putting your White Paper on your
web page where people can download it for free in return for
providing their contact details is a good way to generate leads.
You can also try sending an email to existing contacts to let them
know about your new eco-innovation services, including a link to
the White Paper download page on your website.
2. Review the list and decide which of the ideas you will implement,
taking into account factors such as:
• Time, cost and effort to organize and implement
• How many good quality leads (contacts within relevant
companies) the activity would generate.
• The capacity you have available to run these activities with the
team you have available.
3. Generate a schedule of activities for the next 6-12 months, make
sure one named person is responsible for each activity, then start
organizing your first activity!
List here the companies to engage with and the relevant contact person
83
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
• Build consortium and apply for funding from Fisheries Agency under programme for 2 5 1 8
‘Sustainable fishing and fish processing’
List here the companies to engage with and the relevant contact person
84
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
Description of the Tasty Tuna Company • Supported by national policy – In the country in which the Tasty
Note: The Tasty Tuna Company is a fictional company used to illustrate Tuna Company is based, the food processing industry is supported
the application of the eco-innovation methodology. Tasty Tuna is a by national policies such as the National Development Plan as the
small, family-run company that specializes in the processing and can- government wants to move from exporting basic raw products to
ning of tuna fish products. The company was created by a fishing family higher value, processed food products.
in 2004 because they were unhappy with the price they were receiving • Availability of funding – There is funding available through the
for their fish. The family still own and manage the company, which now Ministry of Trade and Investment for companies that wish to
employs 40 people and processes 1000 metric tonnes of tuna per year. increase their export sales.
The company buys its fish direct from the fishermen at the local market. • Market facing new regulation – The Fisheries Ministry is consider-
The fish is taken and processed using predominantly manual processes. ing implementing fishing quotas due to overfishing problems.
The canned tuna is finished with Tasty Tuna branded packaging when sold • Growing market – The demand for tuna is growing by more than
into the domestic market, but the company also offers customized packag- 10% per year both locally and in export markets.
ing for large international customers. • Business to consumer market that has an interest in sustainability –
The company has two products: The company sells some of its product under its own label and an
increasing number of consumers are interested in purchasing tuna
• Premium, Yellowfin canned tuna in oil – mainly sold to the export that is sustainably sourced
market
• Market facing significant sustainability threats – The tuna fish-
• Standard, Skipjack canned tuna in brine – mainly sold in the ing and processing industry is currently facing threats such as
domestic market. dwindling fish stocks due to overfishing, concerns about working
The majority of the company’s employees are involved on the conditions on board fishing vessels and rising fish prices due to
production line but there are five office staff consisting of the CEO, competition from foreign processing companies. These threats and
the Production Manager, the Sales Managers, one Buyer and one others are discussed further in later activities.
Finance Assistant. • Successful, profitable company – Despite the threats being faced
the company has made healthy profits in each of the last five
So why would the Tasty Tuna Company be a good target
years. It is the market leader in the domestic market with a 55%
for your eco-innovation services?
market share.
Below are some of the key factors that might have been used to identify
• CEO/Owner that is keen on sustainability – The Tasty Tuna
the Tasty Tuna Company as a good company to target. Look out for
Company is a family-owned business and the owners have a
similar characteristics when selecting the companies that you will target.
85
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
86
PR.8 Plan and implement engagement activities
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
References and resources
Writing a White Paper:
87
Step
activitIES overview
There are key points during the eco-innovation methodology where
PR.9 you will need to outline the arguments supporting investment from
Pitch the benefits the company in implementing eco-innovation and decide how to
of eco-innovation proceed. The first of these key points is gaining approval from the
to the CEO CEO of at least one of your target companies to get internal access to
the company.
88
PR.9
Pitching the
benefits of
eco-innovation
to the CEO
Complex activity
89
PR.9 Pitching the benefits
of eco-innovation to the CEO
Before you meet with the CEO you will need to decide whether examples or examples from the same industry in other countries
to present a pitch for funding of the complete eco-innovation and your own experience are always preferable.
implementation service or will simply be requesting permission to • Emphasize that implementing eco-innovation is a long-term,
get internal access to the company so that you can proceed through strategic initiative that will require the on-going support and
the activities of the SET STRATEGY phase (which may or may not be commitment of the senior management team if it is to be
funded depending on the approach you decide to adopt). successful.
For the purpose of this manual it is assumed that at this stage you • If relevant, mention the partnerships you have formed with
are requesting permission to get internal access to the company so stakeholders that will ensure that you have access to the
that you can proceed through the activities of the SET STRATEGY competencies, skills and knowledge required to deliver a
phase. Below is a suggestion for the topics to include in your pitch to comprehensive eco-innovation implementation service.
the CEO. Much of the content of this pitch can be based on the value • Finish by discussing next steps.
chain pitch but should be made more specific to the company you are
targeting and you should avoid repeating the generic content if the When requesting permission to proceed there are a number of key
CEO has previously seen your value chain pitch. questions that you should try to address to help the CEO make a
decision (with some generic answers):
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT • How will proceeding to the next stage benefit the company? – A
business strategy will be formulated that will capture the long term
Prepare a pitch to the CEO based on the following outline:
vision for the company as well as strategic goals. This strategy
• Brief introduction to your organization and the services it provides. will be used throughout the rest of the process to guide the eco-
• Describe what eco-innovation is. innovation activities.
• Highlight the need for eco-innovation by describing some of the • What will you do? – Conduct a Preliminary Assessment to build
high priority threats and opportunities that you have identified. a better understanding of the company and identify specific
opportunities for eco-innovation across the life cycle of its
• Discuss the potential business benefits for the company of eco-inno-
products. This will involve reviewing their existing business
vation – these can be based on your value chain pitch but should be
strategy, business model and operational strengths and
tailored where possible to the specific context of the company.
weaknesses. Based on the information gathered a revised
• Give examples of how eco-innovation has benefitted other
business strategy that incorporates eco-innovation will be
companies. Case studies can be found in the Business Case for
proposed for the company.
Eco-innovation (UN Environment, 2014), but local/national/regional
90
PR.9 Pitching the benefits
of eco-innovation to the CEO
• What will be the outputs and deliverables? – A report that Template of Initial Pitch to CEO
summarizes the findings from the strategy review and workshop
and goes on to propose a revised business strategy for the
company. In a subsequent meeting, the Service Provider will return
Key questions
to present the findings from the report and to discuss the support
to CEO
services required to enable the implementation of the strategy Your
throughout the company. organisation
• What involvement from senior management and other personnel
will be required? – 1.5 hours with the CEO to review the current
business strategy, one-day workshop with key personnel from
across the company to help identify operational strengths and Partnerships What is eco-
weaknesses. After the completion of the report a one-hour innovation
meeting with the Senior Management Team will be arranged to
present the findings and a pitch for the implementation services.
• Will you require funding from the company? – No, not at this Benefits of eco-
stage (see Tips & Tricks). innovation
Next steps
Case studies
91
PR.9 Pitching the benefits
of eco-innovation to the CEO
Learning Case Study Of Initial pitch to ceo
92
PR.9 Pitching the benefits
of eco-innovation to the CEO
Tips & Tricks
93
SET STRATEGY
The aim of the SET STRATEGY phase is to use your
knowledge of the company’s strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats to propose a new business
strategy that places eco-innovation at the core of
the company’s business strategy to ensure progress
towards a sustainable future for the company
Phase 2 — ST
SET STRATEGY
activitIES overview
The main aim of the Preliminary Assessment is to gather the
ST.1 information you will need in order to propose a suitable new business
Plan my data strategy for the company. In particular, you will need to gather data
gathering strategy on the current business strategy, business model and operational
performance of the company as well as the specific opportunities
and threats faced by the company. This step provides guidance on
the types of information to focus on and suggests ways to help you
gather that information.
98
ST.1
Plan my data
gathering strategy
Complex activity
99
ST.1 Plan my data gathering strategy
A significant proportion of your time during the SET STRATEGY phase Data Gathering Checklist can be used to complete this activity –
will be used gathering data as part of the Preliminary Assessment. details of which are provided in this activity.
There are several important questions you should consider before
Who within the company will help you organise
starting any data gathering activities to ensure that you get the
data gathering activities?
information you need in a way that is fast and efficient for both you
and the company. Managing the data gathering activities poorly might You will need may need to arrange meetings and workshops with key
result in the company losing interest and abandoning their eco- personnel from the company during the Preliminary Assessment. To
innovation activities. The questions are: help facilitate these activities you should ask the CEO to appoint a
‘Focal Point’ to assist you. This person will act as your main contact
Can you combine the Preliminary Assessment and In-Depth
within the company.
Assessment?
The Focal Point should ideally have a broad and deep knowledge of
An important underlying assumption in the methodology is that at
the company in order to be able to answer your questions or point
this stage of the process you will not be receiving any funding from
you towards the best person within the company to speak to about
the company. If this is not correct and you have been able to obtain
a specific topic; although you may find that a more junior employee
funding from the company for this phase of activity or know that you
is appointed to help you. Having a Focal Point in place will be useful
will proceed with other phases of the methodology then you should
throughout the rest of your eco-innovation implementation activities.
consider performing the In-depth Assessment (which is described in
the step ‘Understand in more detail the performance of the company Once you have answered each of these three questions you can
through an In-Depth Assessment’) at this point as well. Performing explain your plans to the senior management team so that they
the In-depth Assessment requires more time and effort from both you understand the likely amount of time and effort required from the
as the Service Provider and key personnel from the company but company during this phase.
will save time overall and will lead to better quality results as you will
have more data available on which to base your recommendations for
strategic changes at the company.
There are lots of different types of data that might be relevant but you
decide beforehand which are the most important, based on factors
such as the sustainability hotspots and threats and opportunities that
you identified during the PREPARE phase. The Data Gathering The
100
ST.1 Plan my data gathering strategy
101
ST.1 Plan my data gathering strategy
102
103
Step
activitIES overview
It is essential to learn about the current business strategy of the
ST.2 company in order to have a better understanding of the context
Interview the CEO in which the strategic change will need to take place. The current
business strategy will likely also reveal some useful insights into how
the company views itself and its position in the world.
104
ST.2
Interview
the CEO
Complex activity
105
ST.2 Interview the CEO
The Business Strategy template can be used to capture the current Vision Goals
business strategy of the company. The main elements of the business
strategy captured within the template are shown in Figure 6 and are
explained further below.
The company vision gives a short statement about what the company is
and what the company would like to become in the next 5-10 years.
The strategic goals are the 3-5 year objectives for the company that
have been defined to address strategic threats or opportunities and Selling
Markets Points
ensure that progress is made towards the long term vision.
The business strategy must also define the markets that the company
targets, the types of products and services that are offered to those
markets, and how the company competes in those markets in terms
of the selling points used. ‘Selling points’ are the features of the
product and service offered by a company, or characteristics of
the company itself, that would make potential customers want to Products
buy the product from that company. The selling points describe the
Figure 6: The main elements of a business strategy.
foundation of the competitive strategy of a company.
• Vision - defines what a company aspires to be in the future, Template of Business Strategy
providing inspiration for employees and direction to inform
strategic decisions.
• Strategic goals - provides specific and tangible short-medium
Vision Market Strategic goals
term targets that will help the company make progress towards
its company vision.
• Markets - provides a broad description of where and to whom
the company will try to sell its products and services.
• Products - describes what it is that the company sells, whether
this is a physical product or a service.
• Selling points - describes the characteristics of the company’s Product
products and services that it thinks will be particularly appealing
for potential customers compared to the offering available from
competitors - see the Tips & Tricks section for examples.
3. The interview with the CEO can also be a good opportunity
to validate the desk research that you completed during the
PREPARE phase. This can be done by presenting the sustainability
hotspots, threats and opportunities that you identified for the value
chain. The CEO should be able to confirm if the hotspots, threats
and opportunities that you have identified are relevant to the Selling points
company. This may also lead to discussions about other threats
and opportunities that are more specific to the company, which
you should make a note of.
4. After the interview, you may wish to send a copy of the completed
Business Strategy template to the CEO to check that you have
understood the business strategy correctly.
107
ST.2 Interview the CEO
Product
• Canned tuna, available in several can sizes
depending on the type of market.
Selling points
• Low cost – try to offer the cheapest cost per kg.
• Speed – For export markets, try to dispatch
orders and deliver faster than competitors
108
ST.2 Interview the CEO
109
Step
activitIES overview
The aim of this step is to capture basic information about the current
ST.3 business model of the company. This is done through desk research
Capture the current and through a workshop with key personnel from the company. Having
business model a good understanding of the current business model will help to inform
your business strategy proposals and business model proposals later in
the process.
110
ST.3
Capture the
current business
model
Complex activity
personnel.
111
ST.3 Capture the current business model
The term ‘business model’ is often interpreted in different ways. In this HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
manual, the following definition is used:
1. Explain the purpose of the session to the participants - to get a
A business model describes how a company does business. It is complete description of the company’s current business model so
the translation of strategic issues, such as strategic positioning and that it can be taken into account when developing new business
strategic goals into a conceptual model that explicitly states how strategy proposals.
the business functions. The business model serves as a building
2. Introduce the Business Model Canvas, explaining what each
plan that allows designing and realizing the business structure and
building block contains and provide some examples.
systems that constitute the company’s operational and physical form
(Osterwalder et al., 2005). 3. Work block by block around the canvas asking the participants to
fill in the Business Model Canvas template.
Capturing the main details of the company’s business model can be
4. Once it is complete ask the participants to review the whole canvas
aided by using the Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder & Pigneur,
and identify what they consider to be the most important strengths
2010), which has quickly become a popular framework for describing
and weaknesses of the current business model.
a business model. The value of the Business Model Canvas is that it
allows you to capture the essential elements of a business model on
one sheet of paper in a way that is logical and easy to explain and
discuss with others. These traits make it very useful for supporting
business model innovation.
112
ST.3 Capture the current business model
Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Relationships Customer Segments
Fishermen Tuna procurement High quality canned tuna Telephone-based personal Local retailers
with long shelf life customer service
Mechanic (for vehicle Tuna processing Wholesalers
maintenance)
Distribution International
Processing equipment supermarket chains
suppliers
113
ST.3 Capture the current business model
114
ST.3 Capture the current business model
“What products and services do we provide to our customers?” Template of Business Model Canvas
– this is the simple, factual description of the combination of
products and services that are offered by a company. The second Key Partners Key Activities Value Customer Key Partners
question is, “How do our products and services create gains Propositions Relationships
for our customers or help to relieve their pains?”. To answer this
question requires a good understanding of why customers buy our 7
products and services. The value proposition must either help to 4
create gains for the customer (e.g. a tin of tuna brings the customer
2
gains of satisfying hunger, providing nutrition and a pleasurable 8 1
taste) or help to relieve pains (e.g. car insurance reduces the
customer’s financial pain if their car is damaged in an accident or Key Channels
stolen). The value proposition should be reviewed frequently to Resources
ensure that it remains valid and relevant within the ever-changing
market conditions. 3
6
3. Channels: This building block describes how a company
communicates with and reaches its Customer Segments to deliver
a Value Proposition. Topics covered in this building block include
communication of pre-sales information (i.e. how will the customer Cost Structure Revenue Streams
hear about the product and understand how it will benefit them?),
purchase and delivery mechanism of the product or service
(i.e. how will the customer buy the product and make sure it is 9 5
delivered to them?) as well as post-sales activities (i.e. how will the
customer access support/maintenance services and how will we
deliver those services?). It is worth remembering that partnering
with other organizations can be a fast and cost-effective way to
build the complete range of channels required (e.g. distributor,
retailer, maintenance organization etc.) – see the Key Partnerships
block for further details.
115
ST.3 Capture the current business model
4. Customer Relationships: This building block describes the types 6. Key Resources: This building block describes the most important
of relationships a company establishes with specific Custom- assets required to make a business model work. This can refer
er Segments. It is important to understand what the company to the basic raw materials used to make product, the people
wants to achieve through its customer relationships and also employed by the company that are important to its success, or
what is expected by the customer. In a high growth market, the financial resources that enable the company to invest in research
aim of the company may be to acquire new customers and build and development. Intellectual resources, such as patents and
market share. In a mature market the focus might be on retaining trademarks, can also be very important as these can be used to
existing customers. The other consideration is what the customer protect your business model from replication by competitors.
expects in terms of their relationship with the company. Custom- 7. Key Activities: This building block describes the most important
er segments that are very price sensitive may be happy to use thing a company must do to make its business model work. This
self-service or automated services (e.g. Internet banking available could be the development of new products, production process-
for average bank customers) whereas if you are targeting high- es, problem solving or even the creation of a platform or network.
end customer segments the customer may expect a higher level
8. Key Partnerships: This building block describes the network of
of human interaction to provide a more personalized service and
suppliers and partners that make a business model work. For a
a stronger relationship with the company (e.g. dedicated banker
partnership to be successful, all parties have to see a clear busi-
available for high net worth customers).
ness benefit for participating and have incentives to ensure they
5. Revenue Streams: This building block represents the cash a will deliver their element of the partnership arrangement. Rea-
company generates from each Customer Segment (costs must sons for pursuing partnerships include: working with a reseller
be subtracted from revenues to create earnings). Here, the or distributor to enter new geographical markets; partnering
company needs to decide if they will make one-off sales of a with a company in a related market to provide a more integrated
physical product, or lease that product, or ask customers to pay service for the customer (e.g. hotel operator partnering with a taxi
for their usage of the product? Such decisions need to be based company to offer pre-booked airport transfers for hotel custom-
on a good understanding of exactly what it is that the customer ers); collaborating with a university research centre to get access
values about your product or service and what they are willing to new technology and intellectual property etc.
to pay for it. Personnel involved in sales and marketing should
9. Cost Structure: This building block describes all costs incurred
be able to provide good customer insight on this type of issue,
to operate a business model. Costs may be ‘fixed’, which are in-
but market research may be required when dealing with new
dependent of the number of products sold or services delivered
products or significant innovations within existing products.
(e.g. rent and salaries), or ‘variable’, whereby the costs increase
116
ST.3 Capture the current business model
117
Step
activitIES overview
There are three activities that you can complete to help build a
ST.4 ST.6 better understanding of the operational activity: the Walk-Through
Do a Walk-Through Update the Audit, interviews with staff or a workshop with staff, and update the
Audit sustainability hotspots sustainability hotspots by using the Life Cycle Thinking template.
ST.5 The overall aim is to gather data on the operational strengths and
Do a workshop/ weaknesses of the company so that they can be taken into account in
interviews with staff the strategic analysis and the development of new business strategy
proposals.
118
ST.4
Do a
Walk-Through
Audit
Requires dialogue
119
ST.4 Do a Walk-Through Audit
A good starting point for your data gathering about the current Template of Walk-through Audit Guide
operational performance of the company is a Walk-Through Audit of
the company’s operations guided by the Focal Point member of staff.
Key discovery questions Page 2
Suggestions for the things to look for and questions to ask your tour
guide are provided in the Walk-Through Audit Guide template.
Getting started Production Production — Design &
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT on tour — main goods out Engineering
processes
1. Before the tour, read through the Walk-through Audit guide
provided and add some specific questions of your own that you
would like to have answered.
2. During the tour, use the guide to prompt discussions and gather
additional information.
3. After the tour, write down in the Walk-Through Audit Guide template:
• Key observations.
• At least five strengths within the operational performance of
the company.
• At least five weaknesses within the operational performance Production — Purchasing Sales & Management
of the company. goods in Marketing
Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
Metals Supplements
120
ST.4 Do a Walk-Through Audit
Key observations
121
ST.4 Do a Walk-Through Audit
• Ask to be shown round the production facilities in a logical flow, from • Capturing a simple schematic diagram of the main process steps as you tour the
‘Goods in’, round each step of the processing, through to ‘Goods production facilities can help to ensure you fully understand the complete process and
out’. identify any process steps you may have not been shown.
• How many people work for the company? • Look for instances of waste (materials, energy, water, time)
• What is the gender balance in the workforce? • Which of the production process steps use the most materials/energy/water/chemicals?
• What was the turnover of the company last year? • Which parts of the production process are the most problematic?
• Is the company growing (revenue and staff numbers)? • What are the main contributors to production costs?
What other questions could be also relevant to your context? What other questions could be also relevant to your context?
• What area of company operations is the biggest challenge • How many worker injuries in the last 12 months?
at the moment? • What happens to the tuna dark meat, bones, guts etc?
• Who supervises the production processes?
• What are the main types of delivery you receive? • Who are the most important suppliers for the company?
• Do you have a quality control system to inspect goods • Are there any problems with these suppliers at the moment?
as they arrive? • Is sustainability performance a consideration in your purchasing decisions?
• Do you ever have problems with poor quality goods? What other questions could be also relevant to your context?
What other questions could be also relevant to your context?
- How is tuna sourced?
• Is there much tuna lost between market and factory? - Any concerns about the price or availability of tuna?
• Where is tuna stored before processing? Cold storage facility?
122
ST.4 Do a Walk-Through Audit
• What happens to the product between leaving here and arriving • Do you design your own products or manufacture to your customer’s specification?
at the end user? • Do you have Research & Development facilities on-site?
• What means of transport are used? • Do you take sustainability issues into account when designing new products?
• Does the company have its own distribution system or does it What other questions could be also relevant to your context?
rely on a third party provider?
What other questions could be also relevant to your context? • Any experience of innovation in can/packaging design?
• How is engineering maintenance managed?
• Is there much product loss between factory and retailer?
• What is the greatest distance covered on a delivery run?
• Do the lorries back-haul? Management
123
ST.4 Do a Walk-Through Audit
Learning Case Study OF Walk-Through Audit Results
Key observations
General aspects Production — goods in Production — main processes Production — goods out
• Some fish lost after cooking due • Occasional delivery delays due to
• Not collecting any data on • Some fish not usable when it
to incorrect cooking process poor logistics management
materials waste or energy usage arrives at factory due to lack of • Poor palletisation and packaging
• Well-optimised manual
despite rising cost of tuna and refrigeration in transit processing of tuna thanks to sometimes leads to complaints from
significant energy use • Only small sample of fish is skilled, loyal workforce retail customers about damaged tins
checked before accepting new • Majority (85%) of production staff
deliveries are female
• Production Manager due to retire
• Nearby residents have complained
soon
about the noise from early morning
Management
deliveries
Sales & Marketing • No females in senior management
team
• Sales and marketing team • Good communication between
good at developing novel, well- Design & Engineering management and operational staff
targeted promotions to increase Purchasing • Already measuring and monitoring a
• No internal capacity for packaging
sales range of performance metrics
material innovation • Cost of tuna rising steadily
• One maintenance engineer – • Experienced purchasing staff
production delays if equipment fails – have good relationship with
and she is not available. fisherpeople.
1. Well-optimised manual processing of tuna thanks to skilled, loyal workforce 1. Production Manager due to retire in one year
2. Effective, innovative and adaptable sales and marketing team 2. No internal capacity for packaging material innovation
3. Good communication between management and operational staff 3. Loss of fish and product between point of delivery and arrival at customer
4. Experienced purchasing staff – have good relationship with fisherpeople 4. No females in Senior Management Team
5. Already measuring and monitoring a range of performance metrics 5. Not collecting any data on materials waste or energy usage
124
ST.5
Do a workshop/
interviews with
staff
Complex activity
125
ST.5 Do a workshop/interviews with staff
The next step in your data gathering activity is to follow-up on issues • Which processes that occur in the factory have the biggest
highlighted by the Walk-Through Audit and investigate new areas of environmental impact?
operational performance that might be relevant to the eco-innovation • Which processes that occur in the factory cost the most?
activities. This can either be done through interviews with individual
• How is the company performing in terms of social issues such
employees or through a workshop. Conducting a workshop is optional
as worker health and safety, equal opportunities, fair pay,
as it may not always be possible to arrange this type of session due
working conditions, and having a positive impact on society?
to time and practical constraints. The benefits of a workshop over
• Is the company certified against (or does it comply with) any
individual interviews is that a workshop can be more time efficient for
sustainability standards or international conventions?
you and can help to build interest and engagement from staff. The
benefit of individual interviews over a workshop is that you avoid the • What partnerships does the company have with other
risk of one person dominating the session and you may be able to go organisations?
into more detail on interesting topics. • What is the nature of the partnerships?
• How does those partnerships benefit your company?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT • When negotiating with suppliers does the company just focus
1. Whether you are conducting an individual interview or a workshop, on getting the lowest price possible or are other factors taken
you should introduce the session by explaining that the aim of the into consideration?
workshop is to find out about the strengths and weaknesses of the • If so, what other factors?
company that might be relevant for the eco-innovation activities.
• In what ways are products and services offered by your
2. Topics to cover in the interviews/workshops include: innovation
company better than those of competitors?
and product development, sustainability performance, suppliers
• Who are the biggest competitors your company faces?
and partners, competition, marketing and communication,
management. The types of questions you ask during an interview/ • Why would customers select your company’s products and
workshop will need to be adapted taking into account the services over a competitor’s?
knowledge and experience of the participants of the session. • In what ways are those competitors better than your
Below are some examples of the types of question you could ask: company?
• How important is innovation for the company? • Are you receiving pressure from your customers or other
• What policies or procedures does the company have in place to stakeholders to improve the environmental performance and
ensure that good ideas from staff can be implemented? quality of your products or operations?
126
ST.5 Do a workshop/interviews with staff
• If so, what specific issues are they interested in (e.g. energy Template of Operational Performance Review
consumption in use phase, compliance with hazardous
substance regulations, gender equality)?
Strengths & Topics
• What types of activities does the company do to communicate weaknesses
with customers or other people outside the company?
• Does the company have a clear strategy that is communicated
to all staff? Key questions
• If so, what are the main elements of that strategy?
127
ST.5 Do a workshop/interviews with staff
Strengths and weaknesses Innovation and product development — Sustainability performance — Management
— Suppliers and partners — Competition — Marketing and communication
• Well-optimised manual processing
of tuna thanks to skilled, loyal
workforce Key questions
• Effective, innovative and adaptable
sales and marketing team. • Does the company have a clear • What partnerships does the • Who are the biggest competitors
• Production Manager due to retire in strategy that is communicated to company have with other your company faces?
one year. all staff? organisations? • What types of activities does the
• What are the company’s biggest • Which processes company do to communicate with
• No internal capacity for packaging strengths and weaknesses? that occur in the factory have the customers or other people outside
material innovation. • How important is innovation for the biggest environmental impact? the company?
company? • Which processes cost the most? • In what ways are those competitors
• What experience does the company • How is the company performing in better than your company?
have of developing new products? terms of social issues?
Participants
• 1 x Purchasing staff
• 2x Production staff
• 1 x Marketing manager
• 1 x Sales person
Are all those questions aligned with the Data Gathering Template?
128
ST.5 Do a workshop/interviews with staff
129
130
ST.6
Update the
sustainability
hotspots
Requires dialogue
131
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
An important part of understanding the operational performance Create the life cycle inventory
of the company is to gather data about the life cycle sustainability Ask the participants to help you draw a Life Cycle Inventory template,
impacts of the products the company offers and update the starting with the main manufacturing process steps that occur within
sustainability hotspots that you identified during the PREPARE the company’s factory. For each process step make sure that you
phase. These data should be captured by updating the Life Cycle indicate what the inputs (materials, water and energy), product
Thinking template already completed in the PREPARE phase for the outputs (useful products and ‘wastes’), and emissions (to air, soil and
value chain. This can either be done as an add-on activity to the water) are.
workshop with staff described in the previous activity or can be done
by the Service Provider alone. Either way, the aim is to identify any 3. Once you have completed the Life Cycle Inventory template for
sustainability impacts and hotspots that were not identified during the the activities that take place within the factory, try to extend the
analysis of the value chain sustainability hotspots. template forwards and backwards across the value chain by asking
questions such as:
• What happens to the products once they leave the factory?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
• Where does the customer buy the product from?
N.B. These instructions assume that the activity will be completed
• How does the product get from the factory to the customer?
as part of the optional workshop with staff during the Preliminary
Assessment. It can also be completed as an individual activity • What happens during the use of the product?
following a similar process. • What happens to the product once the customer has finished
using it?
1. Prior to the workshop you need to prepare a copy of the Life Cycle
Thinking template on a large sheet of paper (a standard A1 size • Where do the raw materials come from?
flipchart sheet is best as it provides sufficient space for a small group • What processes do the raw materials go through before arriving
to work with). You will also need a large space to draw on, preferably at your factory?
a large whiteboard.
4. Use the Life Cycle Inventory template you have created to begin
2. Introduce the exercise to the participants by explaining that a key populating the first four columns of the Life Cycle Thinking template.
aspect of eco-innovation involves considering the sustainability
impacts of a product across its lifecycle. Explain that this exercise is Identify the life cycle impacts and sustainability hotspots
intended to capture the main sustainability issues that occur across 5. Ask the participants to provide examples of specific environmen-
the product lifecycle. tal, social and economic impacts that are associated with the
activities and emissions at each stage of the product life cycle.
132
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
133
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Emissions
GHG
GHG GHG GHG GHG GHG
emissions, GHG
emissions, emissions, emissions, emissions, emissions, GHG
waste water, emissions,
waste water, waste water, waste water, waste water, waste water, emissions
by-catch waste water
lost tuna lost tuna lost tuna lost tuna lost tuna
waste
Frozen tuna Frozen tuna Frozen tuna Tuna ready Canned, Canned tuna
Cooked tuna Canned tuna
for cooking unsterilised tuna
Inputs
Electricity,
Fuel, Ice Electricity, Ice Fuel, Ice Fuel, water Fuel, water Fuel, water Fuel
water
134
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Activities
out of scope
135
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Phase Activity Inputs Product Emissions Resource use Ecosystem On workers On On Profitability
outputs quality consumers stakeholders
• Sale at • Electricity • Frozen • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs • Noise - • Rising cost
Materials
market (100% coal) tuna (at emissions depletion - fossil change (L) secured at from early of tuna - due
• Ice dock) • Waste water fuels (L) market (M) morning lorry to dwindling
• Lost tuna movements (L) stocks (H)
• +Revenue to
fisher people
(M)
• Cost of lost
tuna (M)
• Transport • Fuel (diesel) • Frozen • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs • Cost of lost
to factory • Ice tuna (at emissions depletion - fossil change (L) secured tuna (M)
factory) • Waste water fuels (L) for delivery
• Lost tuna driver (M)
136
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Economic
Environmental impacts Social Impacts
impacts
Phase Activity Inputs Product Emissions Resource use Ecosystem On workers On On Profitability
outputs quality consumers stakeholders
• Tuna • Fuel (diesel) • Tuna ready • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Cost of lost
thawing, Water for cooking emissions depletion - fossil change (L) at factory (M) tuna (M)
cutting and Waste water fuels (L) Eutrophication
washing Lost tuna Water (M)
consumption (M)
• Pre-cooking • Fuel (diesel) • Cooked tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Cost of lost
in steam Water emissions depletion - fossil change (H) at factory (M) tuna (M)
Waste water fuels (H) Eutrophication
Lost tuna Water (L)
consumption (L)
Production
• Packing and • Electricity • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Cost of lost
canning (100% coal) (at factory) emissions depletion - fossil change (L) at factory (M) tuna (M)
Water Salt Waste water fuels (L) Eutrophication
Cans" Lost tuna Water (L)
consumption (M)
137
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Economic
Environmental impacts Social Impacts
impacts
Phase Activity Inputs Product Emissions Resource use Ecosystem On workers On consumers On Profitability
outputs quality stakeholders
• Transport to • Fuel (diesel) • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Noise - • Cost of lost
Transportation
retailer • Pallets (at retailer) emissions depletion - change (L) for delivery from early tuna (M)
• Lost tuna fossil fuels (L) driver (M) morning lorry • Cost of
(damaged movements transportation
cans) (L) (L)
• Sale at • Electricity • Canned tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Revenue to
retailer (100% coal) (at retailer) emissions depletion - change (L) at retailer (M) retailer (M)
Use
and eating (100% coal) (at home) emissions depletion - change (L) consumption of
fossil fuels (L) tuna (L)
• Human health
risk - mercury
content of tuna
(M)
Disposal of • Fuel (diesel) • Waste tuna • GHG • Resource • Climate • Jobs secured • Bad odours
waste (at landfill) emissions depletion - change (L) at waste from landfill
End of life
138
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
In the table below, the sustainability hotspots for the Tasty Tuna
Company are listed along with examples of stakeholders and ideas
for how that stakeholder could help to address the relevant hotspot.
Note that the hotspot concerning ‘Lack of women in management roles
at the company’ was identified from the workshop with staff. This was
given high importance because the company is reliant on their female
production workers and they are not happy with the current situation as
there appears to be no route to promotion for female staff.
Fisheries Agency - create quota’s for tuna fishing to avoid stock depletion.
Energy intensity Retort oven supplier - provide training and maintenance services to ensure ovens
of the production are operated at optimum efficiency.
phase
Retailer - Create consumer education programs about ways to reduce food waste.
Lack of women Trade association - Provide training to senior management teams about the
in management importance and benefits of implementing gender equality policies.
roles at the com-
pany
139
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
140
ST.6 Update the sustainability hotspots
Background information
References and resources
Hotspot analysis:
141
Step
activitIES overview
Within this step you will analyse all of the information you have gathered
ST.7 about the company so far through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Do a SWOT analysis Opportunities and Threats) analysis. When applied as part of the eco-in-
novation methodology a SWOT matrix helps to separate out ‘internal’ vs
‘external’ factors and ‘helpful’ vs ‘harmful’ factors that will influence the
ability of the company to become more sustainable.
142
ST.7
Do a SWOT
analysis
Requires dialogue
Interviews/
workshop
S W with staff
O T
Internal origin
• Strengths and weaknesses (from the Walk-through Audit and
interviews/workshops with staff) STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
• Key stakeholders (from the Life Cycle Stakeholders template)
2. Write a bullet point on a sticky note to summarise each of the
sustainability hotspots, opportunities, threats, strengths and
weaknesses.
3. Place the sticky notes in the appropriate cell of the SWOT template
- an example for the Tasty Tuna Company is provided below.
Note that sustainability hotspots can be classified as strengths,
(attributes of the environment)
weaknesses, opportunities of threats depending on the nature of
the hotspot.
External origin
4. If you find that you have a lot of issues listed (more than 20) you
should filter out any issues that appear to be significantly less OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
important compared to the rest.
The final output of the SWOT analysis is a list of the high priority
threats, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses.
145
ST.7 Do a SWOT analysis
146
ST.7 Do a SWOT analysis
147
Step
activitIES overview
Based on the SWOT analysis and your general understanding of the
ST.8 COMPANY and the value chain, you can now begin to generate ideas for
Developing the the business strategy. Begin with the goals and vision as these elements
company vision define what the company is to become in the future and will help to
ST.9 define the rest of the business strategy.
Define the strategic It is important that the company vision and strategic goals are aligned
goals and coherent with one another. It can therefore be a good idea to work
on these two elements of the business strategy in parallel.
148
ST.8
Develop a vision
for the company
Requires dialogue
149
ST.8 Develop a vision for the company
The aim of the company vision is to define what a company aspires ambitious and inspiring? Is it relevant for the company? Is it too
to be in the future, providing inspiration for employees and direction prescriptive or too vague?
to inform strategic decisions. The company vision ’zooms in’ on 6. Revise the company vision based on the feedback and then
the part of the value chain vision that is relevant for the company include the final version in the Company Vision template.
and succinctly describes what that the company will look like in a
sustainable future. Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
Metals Supplements
1. Review the prioritised points from the SWOT analysis. SWOT Company vision
2. Review the value chain vision and think about the role played by
the company in this vision.
3. Select a time frame 3-10 years in the future in which to set the
company vision.
4. Write a first draft of the company vision from this future
perspective. You can use the following questions to inspire you:
• What are the sustainability hotspots that the company has
helped to address?
• How is the company performing from a commercial perspective
(growth, profitability, market position)? Feedback
Value chain vision
• How do customers feel about the company?
• What are the first things that other people outside the company
think of when they hear the company name?
• Why are employees proud to work for the company?
5. Review and re-draft this company vision description then share
it with your colleagues and ask for feedback. Is it clear? Is it
150
ST.8 Develop a vision for the company
• Fishing activity a hotspot Tasty Tuna is the leading producer in the region of processed
• Energy intensity of the production phase fish and seafood products, providing tasty, nutritious
• Significant fish loss and waste food to millions of people in a sustainable way.
• International fishing
We work closely with the fishing community to ensure a
• Overfishing and by-catch
steady supply of sustainably sourced fish and seafood. We
• Increasing consumer awareness about sustainability
make the most of what the sea offers to create innovative,
• Slavery-like conditions on board tuna fishing vessels
varied and tasty products that our customers love.
151
152
ST.9
Define the
strategic goals
Requires dialogue
and the high priority strategic • Categorized set of strategic factors to support
strategy development from the activity ST.7 Do
factors. a SWOT analysis.
153
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
The purpose of defining strategic goals is to provide specific and 5. Repeat this process for each of the sustainability hotspots until you
tangible short-medium term targets that will help the company make have strategic goals defined for all of them.
progress towards its company vision. The activity makes use of 6. Once you have created a goal for each of the hotspots see if there
the TOWS template, which complements the SWOT analysis that are any other high priority issues from the SWOT analysis that
was completed previously. For the formulation of strategic goals, a have not been addressed. If there are, create additional goals to
Company Vision template is used. address these other issues as you think necessary.
7. Check if there are any pre-existing strategic goals that are still
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT consistent with the new company vision and other strategic goals
– include them if they are.
To develop the strategic goals you should:
1. Take the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from Template of TOWS
the SWOT analysis and list each one in the appropriate cell of the
TOWS template
2. Select one of the sustainability hotspots and generate ideas for Strengths Weaknesses
how it could be eliminated (if it is a negative impact), or enhanced
(if it is a positive impact) by considering combinations of strategic
issues – starting with ‘Strength-Opportunity’ combinations.
3. Do the same for ‘Strength-Threat’, ‘Weakness-Opportunity’,
‘Weakness-Threat’ combinations. Opportunities
4. Select the most promising idea for how to eliminate/enhance
the sustainability hotspot and then use this as the foundation to
formulate a strategic goal for this hotspot that describes:
• Which sustainability hotspot is addressed
• What the desired change or improvement is
• How you will know when the goal has been achieved Threats
• The date by which the goal will be achieved.
A template that follows this formula for creating strategic goals is
provided in the Company Vision template.
154
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
8. Review the list of strategic goals you have created to check the
following:
• Do the goals focus on outputs?
• If you showed the goals to anybody in the company would they
understand them without additional explanation?
• Is there a combination of both short-term goals (typically 1-2
years) and long-term goals (3-5 years)?
• Are there fewer than eight goals? Any more than this will
become bewildering and dilute their value.
• Are the goals consistent with the company vision?
• If the company achieves all of the goals would it have made
significant progress towards the company vision? Or is
something else required?
9. Once you have reviewed and revised the strategic goals make
sure you have recorded them all in the Company Vision template.
155
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
• Well-optimized manual processing of tuna • No internal capacity for packaging material innovation.
thanks to skilled, loyal workforce. • Low profit margins mean little financial capital for investment.
• Effective, innovative and adaptable sales and marketing • Lots of female workers but none in Senior Management Team.
team.
156
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
What hotspot or other SWOT Significant fish loss and waste between point of What hotspot or other SWOT Some markets interested in sustainably
issue does the goal help to catch and point of consumption. issue does the goal help to sourced fish. Unsustainable fishing methods
address? address? causing tuna stock depletion.
Good relationship with fishermen could be
used to encourage more sustainable fishing
What is the desired change? Reduce fish and product loss between point of methods.
fish purchase (fish market) and arrival at retailer
by 30%.
What is the desired change? Share of total sales from 'sustainable' product
How will you know if the goal Using the metric: weight of fish purchased per lines to be at least 30%
has been achieved? net kg of product sold. Benchmark value will be
established and will then calculate the average
How will you know if the goal Define criteria for what is considered a
value of this metric each month using fish
has been achieved? 'sustainable' product line. Track sales of
purchase invoices and product sales data.
sustainable product lines as a percentage of
total sales. Goal achieved when sales of sus-
tainable products lines exceeds 30% of total
sales for two financial quarters in a row.
157
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
What hotspot or other SWOT Reports of slavery-like conditions on board What hotspot or other SWOT Unsustainable fishing methods causing tuna
issue does the goal help to some tuna fishing vessels that belong to our issue does the goal help to stock depletion.
address? suppliers. address? Competition from rival tuna processers driving
Good relationship with fishermen could be down profit margins.
used to encourage more sustainable fishing
methods.
What is the desired change? Support the creation of 20 fishing jobs in boats
operating sustainable fishing practices. What is the desired change? Diversify into other fish and seafood products
that do not rely on tuna and generate at least
50% of total sales revenue from 'non-tuna'
products.
How will you know if the goal Supplier survey will be used to establish
has been achieved? baseline data for number of fishing jobs How will you know if the goal Track sales of 'non-tuna' product lines as
currently supported and number of boats has been achieved? a percentage of total sales. Goal achieved
operating sustainable fishing practices. Survey when sales of 'non-tuna' products lines
will be repeated once per year and number of exceeds 30% of total sales for two financial
sustainable fishing jobs supported compared quarters in a row.
with baseline.
158
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
What hotspot or other SWOT Competition from rival tuna processers driving What hotspot or other SWOT Lots of female workers but none in Senior
issue does the goal help to down profit margins. issue does the goal help to Management Team.
address? (Pre-existing strategic goal) address? Good relationship with fishermen could be
used to encourage more sustainable fishing
methods.
What is the desired change? Increase total product sales to over $1 million.
What is the desired change? Reduce employee turnover rates by 20% and
facilitate at least two female employees to gain
senior management positions by introducing a
'family friendly working' policy that will improve
How will you know if the goal Track sales value for each financial year. Goal working conditions for staff with families.
has been achieved? achieved when annual sales exceed $1 million.
How will you know if the goal Track employee turnover rates and number of
has been achieved? women in senior management positions. Goal
achieved when employee turnover reduced
by 20% over a 12 month period compared to
current rate and at least two females within
the Senior Management Team.
When will the change be Within five years
achieved?
When will the change be Within three years.
achieved?
Final formulation of the goal: We will increase total product sales to over $1
million within five years.
Final formulation of the goal: We will reduce employee turnover rates by
20% and facilitate at least two female employ-
ees to gain senior management positions by
introducing a 'family friendly working' policy
that will improve working conditions for staff
with families within three years.
159
ST.9 Define the strategic goals
AVOID PRESCRIPTIVE
GOALS
When formulating goals try
to avoid including anything
that describes how the
goal will be achieved as
this will limit the oppor-
tunities for innovation.
Further information in
the Agri-food, Chemicals and
Metals Supplements
160
161
Step
activitIES overview
The aim of this step is to decide how the markets, products and
ST.10 ST.11 ST.12 selling points need to change to achieve the strategic goals and be
Generate ideas Evaluate ideas for new Select which ideas aligned with the company vision. This involves three activities:
for new products, markets, products and for new markets,
markets and selling selling points products and selling 1. Generating ideas for new markets, products and selling points.
points points to include 2. Evaluating those ideas in terms of their benefits and risks.
in the strategy 3. Selecting which changes to include in the new strategy proposal.
proposal
The output of this step is an updated set of markets, products and
selling points.
162
ST.10
Generate ideas
for new products,
markets and
selling points
Requires dialogue
163
ST.10 Generate ideas for new products,
markets and selling points
In this activity you should try to generate a wide variety of ideas for could this selling point be enhanced further or used more
new markets, products and selling points. In the next activity you widely by the company?
will evaluate the ideas and filter out unsuitable ideas so try not to • Are there high priority opportunities from the SWOT analysis
prematurely filter ideas at this stage. that could be taken up with some combination of new products,
markets and selling points?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT • Are there ideas from the TOWS analysis for new markets,
products or selling points?
To generate ideas for new markets, products and selling points you
should: • Are there markets, products or selling points that are not
aligned with the company’s goals or vision that should be
1. Review the strategic goals, company vision and the details of the
eliminated? If so, what would be the timescale for doing this?
current markets, products and selling points.
4. Once you have generated at least five ideas for new markets,
2. Consider the following questions:
products and selling points, you can proceed to the next activity of
• Are the markets, products and selling points aligned with the
evaluating the ideas
company vision?
• Can the strategic goals be achieved with the current set of Template of Products, Markets and Selling Points
markets, products and selling points?
3. It is unlikely that the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes’ so Company Markets Products Selling points
you will need to generate ideas for changes that could be made vision
to markets, products and selling points. The following tips can help
you to do this:
• Identify which existing markets are most important to achieving Strategic
the company’s goals and vision – what new products could be goals
sold to these markets?
• Identify which existing products are most important to achieving
the company’s goals and vision – what new markets could
these products be sold into?
General ideas
• Identify which of the selling points currently used is most
important to achieving the company’s goals and vision – how
164
ST.10 Generate ideas for new products,
markets and selling points
Learning Case Study of Products, Markets & Selling Points
General ideas
• Sustainability as a selling point –
sustainable sourcing of fish/seafood and
low carbon processing
• Offer tuna processing as a service
• Sell canned seafood (crab, mussels,
squid etc)
• Other types of fish that require manual
processing
165
ST.10 Generate ideas for new products,
markets and selling points
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
References and resources
Market segmentation and size:
166
ST.11
Evaluate ideas
for new markets,
products and
selling points
Requires dialogue
167
ST.11 Evaluate ideas for new markets,
products and selling points
The evaluation of the ideas you have generated for new markets, 3. For the risk evaluation, simply state if the market, product and selling
products and selling points should be completed using the Strategy point are new or based on an existing one. Where something is new,
Idea Evaluation template. The template helps you to assess the give it a score of 1 and if it is based on the existing situation give it a
potential benefits and risks of each of the ideas. The potential score of 0. Add up each of the scores to get a rating, where a total
benefits are measured in terms of the economic, environmental and of 0 is ‘Low’, 1 is ‘Medium’, 2 is ‘High’ and 3 is ‘Very High’.
social benefits that they will bring and how these will contribute to 4. For the benefits evaluation, you will need to do some basic research
achieving the strategic goals. Note that the benefits are generally to estimate the economic, environmental and social benefits of the
rough estimates at this stage as, unless you have been able to idea. The benefits should be quantified where possible, keeping in
collect some relevant data during the In-Depth Assessment, there mind that these will be very approximate figures at this stage.
is typically not enough information available to make more precise
5. Identify which of the strategic goals the benefits will contribute to.
estimates. The risks are evaluated by considering if the product,
If an idea does not contribute to any of the strategic goals then it
market or selling point are new – the newer elements there are the
should be eliminated from further consideration.
higher the risk.
6. Repeat this process for each of the ideas generated until you have
evaluated all of them.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Select one of the ideas you have generated for a new product, Template of Strategy Idea Evaluation
market or selling point. The first step is to define the specific
combination of a market, a product and a selling point. For
Idea title
example, if it is an idea for a new product, decide if it would be
sold into an existing market using an existing selling point. If it
would, continue directly to step 2. Otherwise decide what market
Risk Benefit
it would be sold into and what selling point would be used before
Product Economic
proceeding to step 2. Similarly, for a new market idea you must first
define the product and selling point; and for a new selling point
idea you must define the product and market. Market Environmental
2. Enter the details of the market, product and selling point you
have defined in the Risk Evaluation section of the Strategy Idea Selling point Social
Evaluation template.
168
ST.11 Evaluate ideas for new markets,
products and selling points
Learning Case Study of Strategy Idea Evaluation
RISKS BENEFITS
Type of risk Description Existing or new? Risk score Type of benefit Description Fit with goals
Product Tinned tuna - Existing 0 Economic Estimated total available Share of total sales from
200g market of $4 million in ‘sustainable’ product lines
2016 and growing at 5% to be at least 30% within
per year 3 years
169
ST.11 Evaluate ideas for new markets,
products and selling points
Tips & Tricks
ESTIMATION OF
BENEFITS
The potential benefits
you estimate will be
very approximate at this
stage but they can be
improved as you define
the idea more precisely
later in the process.
Further information in
the Agri-food, Chemicals and
Metals Supplements
170
ST.12
Select which
ideas for new
markets, products
and selling points
to include in the
strategy proposal
Requires dialogue
171
ST.12 Select which ideas to include
in the strategy proposal
Having completed the benefits and risk evaluation for each of the new selling point or focus on a particular new market and so
new ideas for products, markets and selling points the final step is to would be a good cluster of ideas to implement together
decide which ideas to include in the strategy proposal. This decision • Try to avoid selling adding selling points that conflict with other
requires you to consider a wide range of factors in order to come selling points e.g. difficult to implement ’low cost’ and ’quality’ or
up with a set of products, markets and selling points that are aligned ’innovation’ at the same time.
with the company vision and goals, offer maximum benefits to the
• Try to avoid too many new selling points as it requires significant
company without undue risk and work well together.
time and resource new implement just one new selling point.
172
ST.12 Select which ideas to include in the
strategy proposal
173
ST.12 Select which ideas to include
in the strategy proposal
Learning Case Study of strategy Proposal Development
174
ST.12 Select which ideas to include
in the strategy proposal
Tips & Tricks
175
Step
activitIES overview
The aim of this step is to get senior management approval for the
ST.13 ST.14 ST.15 new business strategy. To help prepare for this pitch you should first
Do an individual/ Pitch the new business Consider key bring together all the elements of the business strategy that you have
group review of the strategy to the CEO management issues been working on to perform a final review and make any necessary
business strategy for implementation changes. You can then prepare and deliver your pitch of the new
proposal business strategy to the CEO. Once you get approval to proceed, you
can start to put in place some measures to facilitate the management
of the eco-innovation implementation process.
176
ST.13
Do an individual/
group review
of the business
strategy proposal
Requires dialogue
177
ST.13 Do an individual/group review
of the business strategy proposal
Having developed the business strategy element by element it is • If you were an employee at the company, what concerns would
important to take a step back and review the business strategy as a you have about this strategy?
whole so that you can identify and inconsistencies or problems and • What could be done to improve this strategy?
reflect on whether it is the best option for the company.
4. After the review you may need to make small changes to the
vision, goals, markets, products or selling points or even go back
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT to some of the earlier activities if significant concerns are identified.
Once you are happy with the overall business strategy proposal
1. Decide if you will perform the review by yourself or with some of
you can proceed to the next step, which is pitching the strategy
your colleagues in a workshop session.
proposal to the company.
2. If you do involve some colleagues you should start by presenting
some additional information to help your them understand how you Template of Business Strategy
have arrived at the strategy proposal, such as:
• The SWOT analysis and the points that were given a high
Vision Market Strategic goals
priority from this.
• The ideas generated using the TOWS template.
• The ‘original’ and ‘proposed’ versions of the Business Strategy
template to highlight the changes that have been made to the
strategy.
Product
3. Whether you perform the review with colleagues or not, key
questions to ask include:
• Are the goals and vision aligned and consistent?
• Are the changes proposed to the markets, products and selling
points consistent with the vision and goals?
• Do the goals sound ambitious but achievable within the Selling points
timescales proposed?
• If you were the CEO of this company, what concerns would you
have about this strategy?
178
ST.13 Do an individual/group review
of the business strategy proposal
Facing the
employee
179
ST.13 Do an individual/group review
of the business strategy proposal
Learning Case Study of Business Strategy
Selling points
SPEED
INNOVATION
SUSTAINABILITY
180
ST.13 Do an individual/group review
of the business strategy proposal
Learning Case Study of Business Strategy Review
Vision Strategic goals Market, product and selling Facing the CEO
points
• Vision informally • Total product sales goal was • Risk of new market and new product
discussed with pre-existing but still ambitious • Diversification of product failure
fisherpeople and retailers • Fish loss goal good to stretch range will be very challenging • How much will it cost to implement
and received a positive operational performance and will impact the whole changes?
response. • Changing working practices company • How will changes be funded?
• All aspects of the vision of fisherpeople will be very • Several different selling points
linked to at least one challenging but they recognise to fulfil – low cost, innovation
strategic goal. the need for change – extend and sustainability. Can all this
timeframe to three years? be done at once?
• Informal discussions about
family friendly policies and
the need for females in
senior management have
been positively received by
operational staff
• Could add a further goal in
the future to clarify how we Facing the employee
will collaborate with retailers • Will there be any job losses?
and other value chain partners • If we process less tuna will I still get
(highest priority is fisherpeople the same wages and hours?
for now).
181
182
ST.14
Pitch the new
business strategy
to the CEO
Complex activity
183
ST.14 Pitch the new business strategy
to the CEO
The final activity in the SET STRATEGY phase is to pitch the new business 5. Introduce the company vision statement and the associated
strategy that you have developed to the CEO and Senior Management strategic goals and show how they address the sustainability
Team along with a proposal for your eco-innovation services to enable the hotspots and high priority SWOT issues.
implementation of this strategy. 6. Introduce the new markets, products and selling points and identify
The first part of the pitch should focus on the new business strategy the potential risks and benefits of these using the results from the
proposal and the process used to develop it. The second part of the Strategy Idea Evaluation template.
pitch should outline the support services to implement eco-innovation 7. Explain that it is not possible to estimate the overall cost of
that you can offer to facilitate the implementation of the proposed implementing the new strategy but that this will be a deliverable
strategy. A suggested outline for the pitch is provided in the box from the SET BUSINESS MODEL phase.
below.
Template of Business Strategy Pitch
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
Key points for pitching the new business strategy Value of your Strategy pitch Fit with
1. Begin by explaining that the new business strategy that you are process Vision current
about to describe is a proposal and that the next phases of the strategy
methodology will define how the strategy could be implemented
and will validate the benefits and risks of the strategy.
Goals
2. Also explain that adopting the new business strategy does not
necessarily mean entirely abandoning the previous business
strategy.
3. Provide a brief overview of the process you have followed during Story
the SET STRATEGY phase to generate the strategy proposal.
4. Present the sustainability hotspots and the results of the SWOT anal-
ysis. Start with the sustainability hotspots (negative impacts) and the
Threats so that the management team can see the risks of continuing Next steps and feedback
with a ‘business as usual’ approach.
184
ST.14 Pitch the new business strategy
to the CEO
185
ST.14 Pitch the new business strategy
to the CEO
Learning Case Study of business Strategy Pitch
Story
• Tasty Tuna faces a range of sustainability challenges that require
significant changes to address. New strategy will move away from over-
use of tuna towards a more diverse and sustainable product range
186
ST.14 Pitch the new business strategy
to the CEO
Tips & Tricks
SIGN A CONTRACT
Once you receive approval
to proceed, you should
organize a contract (if you
have not already done so)
that captures the detail of
the services you will provide
along with confirmation of
the cost of these services.
187
188
ST.15
Consider key
management
issues for
implementation
Requires dialogue
189
ST.15 Consider key management issues
for implementation
This activity is different to the others in that it is an on-going process may also mean that the outputs of a research project are not
that aims to make the management practices, company culture, and supported or adopted within the rest of the organization. Finding
ways of working more conducive to the implementation of eco- the right solution to this conflict will depend on the specific
innovation. Below a number of management practices are suggested situation. A compromise solution may be to ask staff working on
that can help with this. the project for eco-innovation to dedicate specific days of the
week to their eco-innovation activities. The key is then ensuring
that this is enforced, both by the staff and by their colleagues.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
Other simple measures such as having separate email addresses
• Embedding eco-innovation into the company culture – When for people for when they are working on eco-innovation activities,
trying to implement major changes within a company, such as and even a separate desk or work area, can all help to maintain
introducing eco-innovation, having a supportive company culture the separation between eco-innovation and routine activities.
can greatly ease and accelerate the implementation of the
changes. Conversely, a company culture that is resistant to eco- Template of Management Issues
innovation can make it extremely difficult to make any progress.
‘Change management’ is the field of research that provides
support to practitioners who are implementing change within a Culture Message and communications
company so if you are not familiar with this topic then see the
‘Background information’ of this activity for further guidance.
• Managing eco-innovation research and development alongside
routine operations – Research suggests that trying to manage
radical innovation activities, such as eco-innovation, alongside
the routine, day-to-day operations of a company can be
challenging. For staff working on eco-innovation activities there is
often a conflict between the responsibilities they have for day-to- Practices and setting Competences
day operations and the contributions they are expected to make
to the eco-innovation activities.
• This has led to suggestions that eco-innovation should be
separated from the day-to-day operations of the company.
However, this is often not practical in small companies, and
190
ST.15 Consider key management issues
for implementation
• Making use of opportunities for internal communication – It • Empowering employees through a flat organizational structure
is important to think about the message that is communicated – a number of companies have found that restructuring the
to employees about the company’s plans and objectives for management hierarchy and at the same time encouraging
implementing eco-innovation. In all cases, it is important that the employees to be more autonomous and pro-active in managing
Senior Management Team is seen to support eco-innovation. their own performance can lead to improved productivity,
Company newsletters, bulletin boards and general meetings are all innovation and employee satisfaction. This approach is built on the
opportunities for senior management to explain why the company assumptions that most employees: want to be part of a successful
has chosen to implement eco-innovation and the likely benefit for company; understand how they can contribute to that success; and
the company and for employees. Internal communication can also have the right knowledge and expertise to do their job effectively.
be used to address specific concerns or problems. Remember If this is correct, then allowing employees to take responsibility
also, that internal communication should be a two-way flow, so for their work results in better performance, whilst also reducing
try to identify opportunities for employees to express their views, the need for managers who may frustrate their subordinates by
concerns and ideas throughout the process. ‘interfering’ or being overly prescriptive in their guidance. One
• Enhance the sustainability knowledge and skills of the workforce example of this approach is Google, who, amongst other policies
– eco-innovation requires a variety of knowledge and skills such aimed at empowerment, allow the employees to spend 20% of
as life cycle thinking, product environmental assessment, green their time on projects that they consider interesting or potential
marketing, awareness of gender issues and gender equality etc. valuable (He, 2013). In another example, the computer games
These skills and knowledge may not be present in the existing developer, Valve, has created a completely flat organizational
workforce. As the Service Provider you will often be required to fill structure, with no managers other than the CEO. The employee
these knowledge and skill gaps for the company in the short term, handbook describes how the company operates without the
but this is not a scalable, long-term solution. You should therefore presence of managers (Valve, 2012). Whilst neither of these
try to work with the company to identify where knowledge and examples may be directly transferrable to the context within the
skill gaps exist and develop a plan for addressing these gaps. In company, they do provide some inspiration for how a company can
certain circumstances this may require the recruitment of new staff reorganize itself to ensure that its gets the best from its employees
that possess those skills, but training of existing employees will and allows them to make full use of their innovation potential – an
generally be the more cost-effective and efficient approach. important issue for eco-innovation.
191
ST.15 Consider key management issues
for implementation
Learning Case Study of Management Issues
192
ST.15 Consider key management issues
for implementation
Background information
References and resources
Management considerations:
193
SET BUSINESS
MODEL
Defining a new business model
to deliver the business strategy
Phase 3 — BM
activitIES overview
The In-depth Assessment helps to refine your understanding of
BM.1 BM.2 BM.3 the operational strengths and weaknesses of the company by
Update the data Gather additional data Gather additional gathering quantified performance data within key operational
gathering strategy on the business model data on operational areas. These data are used as inputs to the business model
performance innovation activities and will also enable better estimates of the
benefits, costs and risks of the ideas you generate. These data can
also be used to capture the baseline performance of the company
against key sustainability metrics - see the sector supplements for
further guidance on this topic.
198
BM.1
Update the data
gathering strategy
Requires dialogue
199
BM.1 Update the data gathering strategy
Collecting detailed, quantitative data can be very time consuming so Template of Data Gathering Update
it is important to carefully consider which types of data you will collect
during the In-Depth Assessment. By focusing on the most important
Business strategy Type of data Do I need it?
topics highlighted from the SET STRATEGY phase you can reduce the
time you spend on gathering data and avoid wasted effort.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Remind yourself of the data you have already collected - the Data
Gathering Checklist used during the Preliminary Assessment
should provide a good summary of this.
2. Review the new business strategy and try to identify areas in which
more detailed data or information is required. In particular focus on:
• The topics covered within the strategic goals
• The sustainability hotspots for the company
• Any new markets proposed in the new business strategy
3. Go through the list of possible data types mentioned in the Data
Gathering Update template for activities BM.2 Gather additional New data
data on the business model and BM.3 Gather additional data
on operational performance then decide which of them you will
collect during the In-Depth Assessment.
4. Add the list of new data to be gathered to your original Data
Gathering Checklist, making sure to clearly identify which data
types have already been collected and which are the new data to
be collected.
5. Review the Data Gathering Checklist with the focal point to confirm
how and when you will gather the data you require.
200
BM.1 Update the data gathering strategy
201
BM.1 Update the data gathering strategy
202
BM.2
Gather additional
data on the
business model
Complex activity
203
BM.2 Gather additional data
on the business model
In this activity you will collect detailed and, where possible, quantified • Remember to investigate new markets specified in the business
data about the business model of the company. You should already strategy.
have captured some basic information about the company’s business • Why would customers choose the products of the company over
model during the Preliminary Assessment. This activity provides those of a competitor?
the data required to validate the hotspots previously identified and
• What government policy, legislation or standards are currently
evaluate the potential benefits, costs and risks of business model
influencing the main Customer Segments the company operates in?
ideas in a more quantified and rigorous manner.
• Is this likely to change in the future?
Examples of the types of data or questions you need to answer
• If so, how?
concerning the business model of the company are provided below,
using the Business Model Canvas building block headings. Template of Business Model Canvas
• Are customers concerned about the environmental or social • In what phase do these main impacts occur?
impacts of the company’s products or operations? • What influence does the company have over these impacts?
• If so, which impacts and why?
Channels
• What action(s) have they requested?
• How do potential customers become aware of the company’s
• Do customers perceive the company to have any positive social or products?
environmental impacts?
• What are the main sources of pre-sales information the company
• If so, what are they? provides to potential customers?
• What new technologies are influencing the main Customer • How to customers purchase products from the company?
Segments the company operates in?
• How are products delivered to the customer (based on results of
• What cultural or demographic changes are occurring in the main Life Cycle Thinking data collection)?
Customer Segments the company operates in?
• What after-sales support is provided by the company to the
• Does the company cater to the different needs of male and female customer and how is this provided?
customer segments?
Customer Relationships
• What other Customer Segments could the company target?
• How does the company manage the relationships it has with each
Value Proposition of its Customer Segments?
• What is the customer need that the product satisfies? • Are there any customer communities that the company is, or
• What level of influence does the company have over the products should be, interacting with?
it sells? (100% control/in-house design vs manufactures according Revenue Streams
to customer specification).
• What are the main revenue streams for the company (based on
• What research and development capacity does the company have results of Life Cycle Thinking data collection)?
to support the development of new products?
• What is the margin on current product sales?
• Has the company implemented a Design for Sustainability process?
• How stable are revenue streams?
• What are the main environmental and social impacts of the
• Stable throughout the year?
company’s products across their lifecycle (based on results of Life
Cycle Thinking data collection)? • Vary from season to season in a predictable manner?
• Vary in an unpredictable way?
205
BM.2 Gather additional data
on the business model
Key Resources • Does the company make use of new technology to help monitor,
• What intellectual resources are important to the company? E.g. analyse and improve the performance of its production processes?
patents, production process know-how etc. • How does the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the company’s
• What human resources are important to the company? E.g. production processes compare with competitors or industry
Experienced fish buyers, skilful production operatives etc. benchmarks?
• Is the company able to access funds available for investment? • Does the company take environmental or social sustainability
considerations into account in procurement activities?
• If so, is this existing capital or a loan?
• Does the company make use of new technology to improve the
• How much is available?
performance of its operations?
• What is the cost of capital?
Key Partnerships
Key Activities
• How many suppliers does the company deal with?
• Is the company collecting and using data to analyse the
• What influence does the company have with its suppliers (on price,
performance of its production processes in terms of:
ways of working etc.)?
• Energy consumption
• What actions has the company taken to improve the sustainability
• Water consumption performance of its suppliers?
• Resource efficiency • What other partners does the company work with?
• Waste management • What does the company gain from working with these partners?
• Management of chemicals • What new partners could the company work with?
• Health and safety • Are stakeholders concerned about the environmental or social
• Has the company implemented a Resource Efficient and Cleaner impacts of the company’s products or operations?
Production process or Environmental Management System (EMS)? • If so, which impacts and why?
Or any other environmental measures or projects?
• What action(s) have they requested?
• Has the company implemented a Health and Safety management
• Do stakeholders perceive the company to have any positive social
system?
or environmental impacts?
• What steps has the company taken to promote good worker
• If so, what are they?
health, worker well-being and industrial relations?
206
BM.2 Gather additional data
on the business model
Cost Structure
• What are the main sources of cost for the company (based on
results of Life Cycle Thinking data collection)? (e.g. staff wages,
material costs, energy bills, rent etc.)
• Is the cost structure dominated by fixed or variable costs?
• What economies of scale or scope benefits does the company
achieve?
Management considerations
• Does the company have culture that supports innovation?
• What experience does the company have of managing radical
innovation projects?
• What is it that the company does that is difficult for competitors to
replicate?
• In what areas do competitors have a competitive advantage over
the company?
207
BM.2 Gather additional data
on the business model
Tips & Tricks Background information
References and resources
BE SELECTIVE
Business Model Canvas:
You do not need to
collect data for every • Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: a
topic mentioned in the handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. Wiley,
Business Model Canvas London.
template, just the important • The Business Model Canvas can be downloaded here: http://
ones for the company. www.businessmodelgeneration.com/downloads/business_model_
Refer back to the Data canvas_poster.pdf
Gathering Checklist to • Example of the Business Model Canvas being used to review
remind yourself of which the business model of Nespresso, available from: http://hbr.org/
data types are important. web/2013/05/why-the-lean-start-up-changes-everything/sketch-
You can be flexible and out-your-hypothesis
make changes to the list of
• Strategyzer software – subscriptions are available to buy here:
data types to be gathered
http://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/toolbox
if you think that the
priorities have changed.
208
BM.3
Gather
additional data
on operational
performance
Complex activity
209
BM.3 Gather additional data
on operational performance
In this activity you will collect detailed and, where possible, quantified Template of Life Cycle Thinking
data about the operational performance of the company. You should
already have captured some basic information about the company’s Environmental Social Economic
operational performance during the Preliminary Assessment. This impacts Impacts impacts
activity provides the data required to validate the hotspots previously
identified and evaluate the potential benefits, costs and risks of
business model ideas in a more quantified and rigorous manner. Materials
Examples of the types of data or questions you need to answer
concerning the operational performance of the company are provided
below, using a simplified version of the Life Cycle Thinking template.
Production
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Refer back to the Data Gathering Update template to remind
yourself of which of the types of data mentioned in the templates
you need to gather.
2. The simplified Life Cycle Thinking template provided here gives Transportation
suggestions for the types of operational performance data that
you might want to collect. Use this in combination with the Data
Gathering Checklist to select the types of data you will collect.
3. Create a more detailed plan of how and when you will collect the
different data types and review this with the Focal Point.
Use
4. Once you have completed the data collection activities you should
analyse the data and prepare the results of your analysis in a short
report - integrating the results of the BM.2 Gather additional data
on the business model activity. You can present this the report to
End of life
the company as an intermediary deliverable to help maintain the
interest and engagement as you get ready to start generating
alternative business model concepts.
210
BM.3 Gather additional data
on operational performance
Learning Case Study of Life Cycle Thinking
• Inventory of materials purchased including quantities Do materials suppliers have: • Cost of materials purchased.
• Data on energy consumption for production and
• Health & Safety management system in operation?
delivery of materials.
• Chemical management system in operation?
• Policy on child labour?
• Policy on equal opportunities and discrimination?
Materials
• Inventory of material waste in production including Does company have: • Cost of waste and emissions.
quantities. • Cost of energy use in production.
• Health & Safety management system in operation?
• Water consumption data. • Cost of social impacts.
• Chemical management system in operation?
• Production energy consumption with breakdown by
• Policy on child labour?
process.
Production
211
Environmental impacts Social Impacts Economic impacts
• Inventory of packaging materials including quantities. • Guidance for workers on safe handling of product. • Cost of warehouse operation.
• Inventory of product waste during transportation • Complaints from local community regarding noise and • Cost of transportation operations.
Transportation
including quantities. pollution from transportation operations? • Product sales revenues including breakdown
• Data on energy consumed in warehouse (lighting, • Are jobs in the logistics provider permanent, full-time by product line.
refrigeration) and secure?
• Data on fuel consumption for product transportation. • What are the prospects for job creation?
• Data on energy consumed retail location (lighting, • Guidance for user on safe use of product. • Revenues from maintenance services or
refrigeration). • Evidence of social benefits of use of product? E.g. job consumables.
• Data on energy consumption of product during use creation, improved health etc. • What are the prospects for job creation in
Use
• Data on typical end of life fate for product. • Guidance for user/workers on safe product disposal • Cost of end of life processing.
• Data on energy consumption of product during end practices. • Revenues from end of life processing.
of life phase. • Risk of hazardous waste emissions from end of life
End of life
product?
• Complaints from local community regarding pollution
from end of life disposal?
• What are the prospects for job creation in recycling
and reverse logistics?
212
BM.3 Gather additional data
on operational performance
Background information
To measure life cycle environmental impacts in a rigorous and product sales. The production manager will know about production
scientific manner generally requires tools such as ‘Life Cycle losses (scrap and waste). With these data it is possible to generate a
Assessment’ (LCA) and ‘Social Life Cycle Assessment’ (SLCA). LCA reasonable, quantified estimate of the scale of a sustainability hotspot
and SLCA are both major topics in their own right and is not the without performing an LCA. Tracking improvements in sustainability
aim of this manual to provide a comprehensive introduction to this performance will also be easier if quantified data can be obtained.
field. Further information on UN Environment activities to support
References and resources
the application of LCA can be found at the Life Cycle Initiative
website – see the references below for further details. Similarly, for Life Cycle Assessment:
details of SLCA approaches see the UN Environment publication • Joint UN Environment-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. Available from:
‘Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products’. One issue http://www.life cycleinitiative.org/
to keep in mind is that conducting a detailed LCA conforming to
• UN Environment, (2009). Guidelines for Social Life Cycle
international standards such as ISO 14040:2006 generally requires
Assessment of Products. UN Environment, Paris. Available
a significant investment of time and money (upwards of US$10,000
from: http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/DTIx1164xPA-
and 6 person-months). Also, eco-innovation ideas can be very difficult
guidelines_sLCA.pdf
to evaluate using conventional LCA or SLCA approaches as the
necessary input data is often very imprecise or simply not available. Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
For these reasons, you may decide to use simplified approaches Metals Supplements
to understanding the life cycle sustainability impacts of a product,
such as the ‘hotspot analysis’ introduced in the activity ‘PR.4 Identify
sustainability hotspots across the value chain’.
213
Step
activitIES overview
When developing business model ideas it is likely that there will
BM.4 need to be some iteration to ensure that the business model remains
Generate business aligned with the business strategy and at the same time is consistent
model concepts at with the reality of the company’s operational performance.
the big picture level.
For instance, you may find that the range of products and services
defined in the strategy do not all neatly fit within a single business model.
If this is the case, you may need to go back to the SET STRATEGY phase
and redefine the strategy. Alternatively, the company may be able to
operate several business models simultaneously - but only if all the
business models clearly contribute to the business strategy.
214
BM.4
Generate
business model
concepts at the
big picture level
Complex activity
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The aim of this activity is to develop a number of business model If you are taking a ‘Bottom-up’ approach:
concepts that are internally consistent and help to maximize the
1. You should already have some ideas for operational level
environmental, social and economic sustainability of the company.
innovations that could help to eliminate/enhance a sustainability
hotspot. Start by filling in the relevant block of the canvas based on
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT the operational level idea that you have.
The starting point for generating ideas depends on the overall 2. Try to complete the rest of the canvas in a way that is consistent
approach you are taking - ‘Top-down’ or ‘Bottom-up’. Instructions for with the change you have made in the first block.
both approaches are provided below. 3. Once you have completed one business model repeat the process
until you have at least three alternative business model concepts.
If you are taking a ‘Top-down’ approach to business model innovation
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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Learning Case Study of Business Model Canvas
Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Relationships Customer Segments
Secure the supply of tuna they A tuna processing, canning, Both sides want to maximize The fishermen
need. distribution and sales service the retail value of the canned
for fishermen (i.e. instead of fish
Good accounting systems
buying fish from the fishermen
Encourage the fishermen
the Tasty Tuna Company sells
to adopt more sustainable
services to the fishermen)
fishing practices
Membership network for
fishermen
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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The learning case study provides an example of an alternative relationship could be used to encourage the fishermen to adopt more
business model option for the Tasty Tuna Company. This particular sustainable fishing practices if it could be shown that this would lead
business model option aims to contribute to each of the strategic to greater profitability for the fishermen in the long term.
goals previously defined. Efficient tuna processing, canning,
The scope of ‘sustainable fishing practices’ might include:
distribution and selling are all key strengths of the company that were
considered important to retain in the new business model. • Adopting pole and line gear instead of purse seine or long line gear.
The new business model was inspired by the ‘Product as a service’ • Eliminating the use of Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs).
business model pattern – see the Background information. This led to • Only fishing on healthy stocks of tuna.
the idea to change value proposition of the company to providing a • Taking measures to reduces discards and fish loss between catch
tuna processing, canning, distribution and sale service for fishermen. and delivery to the factory.
Instead of the company paying the fishermen for their tuna, the • Adopting workers’ rights policies.
fishermen would pay the Tasty Tuna Company to process their fish
This combination of measures would help to ensure a much more
on their behalf. The fishermen could then sell the canned tuna to
sustainable and secure supply of fish for the Tasty Tuna Company
the retailers themselves or they could pay a higher service fee and
and would address many of the company’s sustainability goals. This
allow the Tasty Tuna Company to take care of the marketing, sales
business model would also avoid the need to compete with rival
and distribution activities. This would offer the fishermen the chance
tuna processors at the fish markets to secure the supply of tuna they
to gain access to the higher profits from selling the finished product
need. Finally, by focussing on niche markets that are willing to pay a
rather than just their unprocessed fish.
premium for sustainably sourced fish, the company would hopefully
From the Tasty Tuna Company perspective, changing their target increase profit margins (for Tasty Tuna and the fishermen) and
customer segment from retailers to the fishermen could help in a become the market leader in the chosen markets.
number of ways. In particular, it would change the relationship with
Other changes to the business model proposal would be necessary
the fishermen from one where each side had conflicting aims (e.g.
to support this central idea. For example, the tuna processing service
fishermen want to sell their tuna at high price whereas Tasty Tuna
would only be offered to fishermen that paid an annual fee to become
wants to buy tuna at low price), to a win-win situation where both
part of a member network (change to Revenue Streams block). This
sides want to maximize the retail value of the canned fish. There
membership fee would create a further incentive for the fishermen to
would also be a closer relationship between Tasty Tuna and the
continue dealing with the Tasty Tuna Company rather than one of its
fishermen because of the increased interaction required in this type
competitors and would provide recurring revenue for the company.
of service compared to the simple sales transaction that occurs
This member network could also be the basis for a new peer to
between the two parties in the current business model. This stronger
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
at the big picture level
background information
Business model patterns Circular C. Returning byproducts
Business Models supplies Other
By analysing a large number of real-life, successful business models it loop
is often possible to identify common patterns (Osterwalder & Pigneur, Circular Supplies
Manufacturing Logistics
2010). These patterns can be used to inspire ideas for business
Resource Recovery B. Waste as
model innovations for your company. Below some business model
a resource
patterns that are relevant for eco-innovation are provided, along Product Life Extension
with examples of companies that have implemented those patterns Procurement Sales and
(although it is not possible to say if these companies are ‘eco- Sharing Platforms Product Resell marketing
innovative’ without knowing more about how they are embedding design
Product as a Service
sustainability into their business strategy and operational activities).
Remanufacture
The first five business model patterns come are based on the
Repair / Product
principles of the ‘Circular Economy’. A Circular Economy is an A. Re-/upcycle
Upgrade use
alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in
which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the Share
maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate Reverse End of life
logistics disposal
products and materials at the end of each service life (WRAP, 2015).
The patterns, shown in Figure 8, were identified from an extensive Waste
leakage
analysis of more than 120 case studies (Accenture, 2014). (eliminate)
Pattern 1: Circular supplies Figure 8: Examples of business model patterns based on Circular
Business models that replace the linear approach (take-make- Economy principles (Accenture, 2014).
dispose) by circular approaches based on the consumption of
renewable, recyclable or biodegradable resource inputs and/or
employ closed loop approaches in the manufacturing processes. Example: Ghana Bamboo Bikes (Sustainia, 2015)
Circular supplies models are especially relevant for companies
The bikes currently available in Ghana are often of poor quality and
dealing with scarce commodities and companies major environmental
unsuitable for local needs. In response, this solution empowers
impacts based on resources consumption (Accenture, 2014).
people in rural areas with the technology they need to make durable
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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bikes out of Ghana’s abundant bamboo resources. Communities Example: Diseclar (Sustainia, 2015)
manufacture affordable bicycles and frames, providing employment
According to the World Bank, Latin American and the Caribbean
where few economic opportunities are available. The bicycles are
countries generate around 160 million tons of waste per day, but
then sold both locally and abroad. The bikes can withstand rough
just 3% of it gets recycled. To help solve this problem, Colombia-
terrain and inclement weather, and are designed to allow for local
based Diseclar has developed a manufacturing process that turns
maintenance and repairs. Moreover, the design can easily be
this waste into furniture suitable for indoor and outdoor use. By
modified to accommodate different needs, such as carrying farm
combining non-degradable plastic waste and agro-industrial waste,
loads, passengers, water, or health workers’ kits.
such as sugar cane pulp, coffee and rice chaff, the company created
Main sustainability benefits: a sustainable product that looks and feels like solid wood, without
the need for timber. In their first year of production, Diseclar plans to
• Environmental: Bamboo is a more sustainable material than
recycle 300,000 kg of plastic and 192,000 kg of agro-industrial waste,
traditional bike materials. Bamboo bike production waste is used
creating 300 recycling jobs in the process.
to manufacture charcoal briquettes to reduce indoor air pollution
and conserve forests. Main sustainability benefits:
• Social: In addition to creating new job opportunities, bicycles • Environmental: According to Diseclar, their system reduces energy
provide users with greater access to essential services, such as consumption by 85% compared to new material production.
water, food and health facilities.
• Social: Diseclar provides waste management training at collection
• Economic: Bike users are able to transport more goods quicker centres and engages communities to raise awareness about
and over longer distances. This results in more time available for recycling.
work or selling products.
• Economic: Aside from creating jobs for local recyclers, Diseclar
Pattern 2: Resource recovery saves consumers money by offering a product with a longer life
Business models that employ new technologies and capabilities to than traditional wooden furniture.
recover and reuse resource outputs through closed loop recycling, Pattern 3: Product life extension
industrial symbiosis and upcycling. Resource recovery models are
Business model based on the extension of the lifetime of products
especially relevant for companies that generates large quantities of
and assets by employing strategies such as remanufacturing,
by-products during their manufacturing processes and/or have access
refurbishment, repairing, upgrading or re-marketing. Life extension
to products at their end-of-life for reprocessing and closing the loop
models are especially relevant for capital-intensive B2B segments or
(Accenture, 2014).
high-value B2C products (Accenture, 2014).
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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Nudie Jeans launched a repair service in 20 of its stores worldwide With a subscription at Vigga.us, parents receive regular packages
as part of the company’s “Eco-Cycle” program, which aims to of children’s clothing to replace items as they become too small.
extend the life-cycle of jeans. Nudie Jeans’ repair service provides For a monthly fee of $52, Vigga.us provides 20 pieces of organic
customers the opportunity to return well-worn jeans to the stores clothing in the child’s correct size. Clothing is returned to Vigga.us
for repair, for free, as many times as they like. In addition to offering when it becomes too small, and larger items are delivered. Returned
free repairs, the Eco-Cycle program allows worn Nudie Jeans to be clothing undergoes a quality inspection and is washed before delivery
exchanged for a 20% discount off the next pair. Returned pairs are to another child. According to Vigga.us the leasing model has the
either refurbished or recycled for special projects such as limited potential of reducing a Danish child’s textile waste by 70% to 80% by
edition rag rugs and camper seats. directing outgrown clothing to new customers and collaborating with a
company that recycles the worn out clothing to produce new garments.
Main sustainability benefits:
Main sustainability benefits:
• Environmental: The Eco-Cycle program reduces waste, saves
energy, and reduces the consumption of raw materials and water. • Environmental: After five years in business, Vigga.us will have
• Social: Since 2013 Nudie Jeans has paid a ’living wage’ to all saved at least 320,000 kg of chemicals and more than 112 million
workers involved in the production of Nudie Jeans’ T-shirts at their litres of water.
supplier in India. • Social: This solution provides sustainable kids’ wear, free of
• Economic: Nudie Jeans’ prices are similar to other well-known harmful chemicals, which are produced under proper conditions.
jeans brands. Because of the repair service, Nudie Jeans last • Economic: A Danish family can save up to $2,100 the first year of
longer than other brands, giving the jeans a competitive edge on parenting by subscribing to Vigga.us instead of buying the baby
the market. clothes from new.
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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2014). ’Chemical leasing’ is a business model that has been gaining gallons of compost to date, creating livelihood opportunities
popularity in the chemicals sector. This is because most customers throughout the ecological sanitation cycle.
do not want to buy chemicals, or have the hassle of handling and
Pattern 6: Multi-sided platform
managing them, they just want the useful function provided by
chemicals. For example, ’part cleaning’ is a chemical leasing service This type of business models relies on having at least two distinct
that is replacing the conventional sales of solvents. Further details customer segments that provide a mutual benefit in some way, which
and examples of chemical leasing are presented in the Chemicals would not exist without both parties. Examples include eBay (buyers +
Sector Supplement. sellers), Visa (shoppers + shopkeepers), and Google (users + content
providers).
Example: SOIL (Sustainia, 2015)
Example: MLouma
Through SOIL’s social business design, customers rent a household
“EkoLakay” toilet for a monthly fee of approximately $5 per home. MLouma (www.mlouma.com) is a platform, accessible via the Internet,
SOIL sanitation workers visit each household to collect toilet waste SMS and a call centre, which connects farmers directly to green grocers
each week and deliver a fresh supply of carbon material which is throughout Senegal. By allowing farmers to market and sell their goods
used for “flushing” composting toilets. Hundreds of households in real-time to hundreds of small grocers, both sides are able to achieve
subscribe to the service, with more signing up daily. The collected higher profits by cutting out the many intermediaries that existing in the
waste is then transported to the SOIL composting waste treatment conventional value chain.
facility where it is transformed into rich, organic, agricultural-grade Main sustainability benefits:
compost through a carefully monitored process. Revenue from
• Environmental: Direct transportation from the farmer to the grocer
monthly toilet user fees, waste treatment fees, and sale of compost
reduces fuel consumption due to transportation and storage
supports ongoing business development costs.
whilst reducing the number of steps in the logistics chains helps to
Main sustainability benefits: reduce product losses.
• Environmental: Safe management of human waste prevents • Social: Farmers have greater control over their business and no
pollution while restoring ecosystems. longer need to rely on large intermediary companies.
• Social: Safe sanitation reduces risk of diarrheal disease, which • Economic: Farmers and green grocers achieve higher profits.
is the second leading cause of death among children under five Farming jobs are more secure due to the increased profits that can
years old globally. be achieved.
• Economic: SOIL reports that it has sold approximately 75,000
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BM.4 Generate business model concepts
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224
225
Step
Generating ideas
at the individual building
block level
activitIES overview
If you are taking the ‘Top-down’ approach to business model innova-
You do not need to complete all of the activities tion, start by identifying the building blocks that will require significant
in this step. You should select and complete the innovation at the operational level to implement the big picture ideas
activities that correspond to the blocks of the you have generated and focus on those.
business model canvas that are linked to the If you are taking a ‘Bottom-up’ approach, start by selecting one of the
strategic goals, sustainability hotspots or high strategic goals and then generate ideas for the 2-3 blocks of the busi-
priority threats, opportunities, strengths and ness model canvas that will need to change the most to achieve that
weaknesses from the SWOT analysis. goal. Repeat this for the other strategic goals before returning to the
activity BM.4 Generate business model concepts at the big picture
level. Whichever route you take, repeat the process until you have at
least three complete business model options.
226
BM.5
Generate ideas
for the customer
segments block
Requires dialogue
227
BM.5 Generate ideas
for the customer segments block
Two fundamental questions need to be considered with respect to in the new business strategy then you will need to an extensive
customer segments: investigation of their requirements. If it is a new selling point to be
used for an existing customer segment then your research in this
• W
hich customer segment(s) should we target with our products
activity can be more focused.
and services?
2. Based on the scope and objectives, decide which market
• What are the needs and requirements of our target customer
research technique is most appropriate. Figure 8, below, provides
segments?
a summary of some of the most common market research
The choice of target customer segments should have already been techniques and can help you to make this choice.
made when defining the business strategy, so you do not need to 3. Plan and implement the market research activity you have selected.
consider this further at this stage.
4. Write-up your analysis of the results and main findings - these will
The ability to identify and articulate the detailed customer requirements be used in the Evaluate the business model concepts and select
for your chosen customer segments is a fundamental challenge for any one to pitch step.
form of innovation. For small companies embarking on eco-innovation it
Template of Customer Research
is particularly important, as a poorly defined set of customer requirements
can lead to an expensive market failure – which they cannot afford.
To build a better understanding of the needs and requirements Contact Scope and objectives of Research
of your customer segments you have to engage your customers, person customer research methods
typically through some form of market research. Figure 8 provides picture
some suggestions for ways in which you might engage the company’s
customers, rated according to the cost and effort required to perform
them, and their ability to generate customer insight. Customer Customer understanding
segment
Accessability
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Using the Customer research template, define the scope and Time
specific objectives of this activity by deciding what it is you want to
find out about the needs and requirements of the target customer
Budget
segments. If there are entirely new customer segments proposed
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BM.5 Generate ideas
for the customer segments block
Learning case study of Customer Research
Customer understanding
New market for us
Accessability
Long distance away and no contacts
Time
Two person months
Budget
Approx. $1,200
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BM.5 Generate ideas
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Tips & Tricks
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BM.5 Generate ideas
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Table 2. Examples of customer engagement and insights gathering techniques
Customer Moderate Low- Moderate- The advantages of a site visit are that you get to see the customer in their normal environment, which can
site visit Moderate Good help to ensure better quality feedback. An example of a site visit for a business customer for the Tasty Tuna
Company might be going to see the warehouse facilities of a large distributor. The equivalent research
activity for a private consumer for the Tasty Tuna Company might be interviewing shoppers in a supermarket.
It would be beneficial to find out how the private consumer uses the product when at home, it is quiet unlikely
to be invited to their house to watch them preparing their lunch. When dealing with business customers it
can be worth asking for a tour of the customer site as this can provide a lot of useful and often unexpected
insights into the customer’s business and how they work. The disadvantage of site visits is that the customer
may be distracted by their day-to-day responsibilities. When arranging a customer visit, it is important to
emphasize that it is not a sales visit as this may help you to secure a visit (and customers are often pleased
that suppliers are keen to visit them even when they are not trying to sell them something).
Electro- Moderate Low Low- A survey requires the respondent to answer a series of pre-defined questions. The fact that there is no
nic/postal moderate live interaction with the customer has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that it is
survey very scalable – the survey can be sent to hundreds of customers with little effort (although response rates
Electronic/ of 10-20% are common for market research). The disadvantage is that they are inflexible, with little or no
postal opportunity for participants to provide context to their answers,
survey
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BM.5 Generate ideas
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and can be open to misinterpretation – of the questions by the participant, and of the responses by
the researcher. The questions need to be very clear and well written to minimize the likelihood for
misinterpretation. Questions should be reviewed and piloted before conducting the main survey if possible.
A good application of surveys is to validate insights gathered from other sources. For example, if a telephone
interview suggested that a customer views eco-innovation as a good way to manage business risk, this idea
could be validated by including a specific question on this topic in a survey.
Focus High High Moderate- Focus groups typically involve 8-12 customers participating in a group discussion led by a facilitator. The
groups Good advantage of focus groups is that the highly interactive discussion can help to uncover unexpected insights.
The main disadvantage is that the can be both time-consuming and expensive to arrange. They are often
used to learn about the initial reactions of a specific customer segment to a new product or service idea. It
is important to ensure that participants are recruited from the specific customer segment being targeted and
that an experienced facilitator is employed to run the session.
Telephone Low-medium Low Moderate Telephone interviews can be a cheap and efficient way to get information from customers. However, it
interviews can be difficult to share ideas without visual aids, and it is not possible to pick-up on non-verbal feedback
from the participant. Telephone interviews can be useful for learning about a customer’s general interest in
sustainability and can be used as a stepping stone to gaining greater engagement from the customer.
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BM.6
Generate
marketing ideas
for the value
proposition block
Complex activity
233
BM.6 Generate marketing ideas
for the value proposition block
The value proposition describes both the tangible products and Generating ideas for the value proposition block using the People,
services that the company provides to its customers and also Profit, Planet template can be done by yourself or as a small
the benefits or ‘pain relief’ that those products contribute. These workshop. If you decide to run the activity as a workshop it can
two elements of the value proposition are broadly defined by the be helpful if you have company representatives from the design,
‘products’ and ‘selling points’ described in the business strategy marketing or sales functions as they will have a good understanding
proposal. Nonetheless, there is always scope for innovation in of the end users’ needs and requirements. The instructions below
defining the details of the value proposition. describe how to apply the People, Profit, Planet template as a
workshop activity.
When part of an eco-innovation activity, it is important that Life
Cycle Thinking is embedded in new value proposition ideas. This
will enable the development of new value propositions that offer HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
improved sustainability performance across the life cycle. Life Cycle 1. Introduce the session by explaining that the People Planet
Thinking is an approach that helps to understand how our choices Profit (PPP) template is used to identify opportunities for product
influence what happens at each of the stages of the life cycle of a innovation that will result in benefits for ‘people’ (i.e. the customer
product. There are two key activities involved in Life Cycle Thinking: or society), ‘planet’ (i.e. the natural environment), and ‘profit’ (i.e. the
Developing an understanding of the main contributors to the overall manufacturer).
environmental, social and economic impacts of a product across its life 2. For an existing product or service, list the main requirements on
cycle, from raw material extraction through to disposal at end of life. sticky notes – one requirement per sticky note.
Taking action to reduce negative sustainability impacts and enhance 3. Draw three very large overlapping circles on an A1 flipchart sheet
positive sustainability impacts. or whiteboard and label them ‘People’, ‘Planet’ and ‘Profit’, as per
the example below.
The first of these aspects should have been addressed through the
4. Ask the participants to position the sticky notes they have created
In-Depth Assessment. Here the focus is on generating ideas to improve
on the PPP template according to which of the three stakeholders
sustainability performance. Two approaches are available to help
the fulfilment of that requirement will benefit. Requirements that
with this. The first is the People, Profit, Planet template which focuses
benefit all three stakeholders are placed in the centre of the
on defining the right balance of requirements between the various
template and are referred to here as ‘tri-synergies’.
stakeholders of the product. The second is the 9 Windows on the
World approach, which focuses more on identifying the root cause of
sustainability challenges and is described further in the next activity.
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BM.6 Generate marketing ideas
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5. Once all the requirements have been placed on the template, Template of People, Planet, Profit
try to generate new eco-innovation product and marketing
ideas by considering:
• Have existing tri-synergies been fully exploited?
• What could you change to create new tri-synergies?
• Where are the major conflicts?
6. Setting a target for the number of ideas generated in a time-limited
period can help to expand the range of ideas suggested e.g.
“Generate 20 ideas in 20 minutes”. People Planet
7. End the session by asking the participants to decide on what they
believe to be the top three ideas from the session that should be
considered for implementation.
Profit
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BM.6 Generate marketing ideas
for the value proposition block
learning case study of People, Planet, Profit
Packaging ‘Dolphin
easy to open friendly’
fishing
method
Good flavour
People
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BM.6 Generate marketing ideas
for the value proposition block
Tips & Tricks
HELP WITH TECHNOLOGY SHIFTING IMPACTS IGNORE EXISTING SHIFTING IMPACTS CONSIDER HIGHER
To support the BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS ACROSS LIFE CYCLE SYSTEMS LEVELS
development of a new ASPECTS Generating ideas for new Take care to avoid When you encounter
value proposition you may Take care to avoid eco-innovative product implementing solutions a problem, the natural
identify a need for some implementing solutions that concepts can be challenging that simply shift the response is to try and tackle
amount of new technology enhance environmental as the tendency will be to sustainability impacts from the problem at the level
(including expertise in the sustainability while worsening try to optimize the existing one phase of the product at which you experience
use and maintenance of the social aspect - similar solution. Unfortunately, this life cycle to another – before it. However, reformulating
that technology). This new to the previous point, it is type of small refinement implementing a solution it a problem to consider the
technology may need to important to check that of an existing product is is important to consider if wider system in which the
be developed in-house, when making aspects to unlikely to yield the radical the total life cycle negative problem occurs can give
but can also be acquired one aspect of sustainability improvement in sustainability impacts have been reduced. much greater scope for
through other means (e.g. that performance in other performance that is the aim This check can be performed innovation, leading to better
licensing, open innovation, dimensions is not create of eco-innovation. To help quickly using the Life Cycle solutions. For instance,
technology transfer etc.). new problems in other with this issue, structured Thinking, or more thoroughly instead of trying to reduce
Further advice on how sustainability dimensions idea generation tools that using Life Cycle Assessment. the energy and water
you as a Service Provider (i.e. more environmentally encourage more radical consumption of a domestic
can support the company sustainable products that thinking can be used. washing machine, could you
throughout all the stages of come with a price premium investigate the possibility of a
acquiring the technology and so become too community laundry service?
they need to deliver their expensive for poor, female- GENDER-BALANCED
eco-innovation is provided headed households). WORKSHOP
in the report ‘Technologies If you organise a workshop
for Eco-innovation’ (UN try to ensure that you
Environment, 2016). have a gender balanced
group of staff to participate
in the session.
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BM.6 Generate marketing ideas
for the value proposition block
Background information
References and resources
FOCUS ON ENHANCE POSITIVE
People, Planet, Profit Diagram:
SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY
HOTSPOTS IMPACTS • O’Hare, J. (2010). Eco-innovation tools for the early stages: an
When generating ideas It is important not to forget industry-based investigation of tool customization and introduction.
for ways to reduce the that many products have PhD thesis, University of Bath, UK.
sustainability impacts of a some positive sustainability Value proposition idea development and testing:
product it can be very easy impacts. The Tasty Tuna
to become side-tracked into Company is providing • Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y., Bernarda, G., & Smith, A. (2014). Value
tackling issues that do not healthy, nutritious food to proposition design: how to create products and services
have a major sustainability lots of people for example. customers want. John Wiley & Sons.
impact. To ensure that the Enhancing these positive Technology issues:
ideas that you generate impacts is just as important
• UN Environment (2016). Technologies for Eco-innovation. UN
deliver the maximum as reducing negative
Environment Economy Division, Paris
benefit in terms of reducing impacts, but is an issue
sustainability impacts, it that is often overlooked. Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
is important that you take Metals Supplements
the sustainability hotspots
previously identified as
the starting point for your
idea generation activity.
238
BM.7
Generate
technical ideas
for the value
proposition block
Complex activity
239
BM.7 Generate technical ideas
for the value proposition block
Generating technical ideas for the value proposition block using the 9 6. Brainstorm solution concepts to address the contributing issues
Windows on the World template can be done by yourself or as a small you have identified.
workshop. If you decide to run the activity as a workshop it can be help- 7. Setting a target for the number of ideas generated in a time-limited
ful if you have company representatives from the design and manufac- period can help to expand the range of ideas suggested e.g.
turing functions as they will have a good understanding of the technical “Generate 20 ideas in 20 minutes”.
possibilities for the product. The instructions below describe how to
8. Ask the group to select their three best ideas to take forward for
apply the 9 Windows on the World template as a workshop activity.
evaluation
Problem analysis
Super system
1. Prior to the workshop you need to prepare a worksheet to
capture the responses. A standard A1 size flipchart sheet is best
as it provides sufficient space for a small group to work with. The
worksheet needs to be split into nine ‘windows’, with titles as
shown in the template.
2. Ask the group to write a statement describing a sustainability
hotspot in the centre window i.e. “High energy use in tuna cooking”.
System
3. Ask the group to define time and system axes – What is the sub-
system and super-system of the system you are considering? What
time scales are you considering?
4. Keeping in mind the definitions of the horizontal and vertical axes,
fill-in the eight remaining windows with processes, functions or
Subsystem
Lack of boiler
High energy use Heat from steam
maintenance reduces
in tuna cooking wasted
efficiency
Subsystem
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BM.7 Generate technical ideas
for the value proposition block
Tips & Tricks
242
BM.7 Generate technical ideas
for the value proposition block
Background information
References and resources
243
244
BM.8
Generate ideas
for the channels
block
Requires dialogue
245
BM.8 Generate ideas
for the channels block
The Channels building block describes how a company communi- • Are your customers interested in sustainability performance? Or
cates with and reaches its Customer Segments to deliver a Value are they simply interested in the potential financial or functional
Proposition. From an eco-innovation perspective, we can distinguish benefits of eco-innovative products such as reduced energy
three aspects of the Channels building block where there may consumption?
be scope for sustainability gains. These are marketing, sales and • If claims are made about the sustainability benefits of our products,
delivery. The instructions below provide guidance on key issues to can we back them up with solid (preferably quantitative) evidence?
consider within each of the three aspects.
• Are there recognized eco-labels or sustainability standards that are
relevant for our markets?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
Marketing Template of Channels Ideas
The marketing function plays an important role in deciding how to
market and sell the product. This is particularly important for eco- Marketing
innovation because product marketing benefits can often be a key
part of the business case for eco-innovation, through eco-labelling
for example. However, capitalizing on these potential benefits can
be tricky due to the challenge of quantifying sustainability benefits
Customer segment
Value proposition
and the proliferation of eco-labels and green marketing claims, which
have led to consumer scepticism in some markets. Also, making Sales
green marketing claims will often require a significant investment
of time and money in order to demonstrate conformity with the
requirements of an eco-label or to perform a detailed Life Cycle
Assessment in order to obtain an Environmental Product Declaration.
It is therefore important to establish the likely costs and benefits
of pursuing green marketing claims before committing to specific
Delivery
marketing activities and campaigns.
246
BM.8 Generate ideas
for the channels block
247
BM.8 Generate ideas
for the channels block
Learning case study of Channels Ideas
Marketing
• Apply for a sustainable fishing certification such as the Marine Stewardship Council blue label.
• Run social media campaigns to help educate consumers about the need for sustainable fishing methods and why they
should purchase sustainably sourced fish.
• Work with other tuna processing companies, through our trade association, to publicise the working being done to improve
the sustainability of the tuna value chain in this country.
Sales
Customer segment
Value proposition
• Create a web sales channel for commercial and retail customers (restaurants, cafes and retailers) so that they can place
orders and schedule delivery to suit their requirements.
• Create a mobile sale channel for commercial customers so that they can place orders by SMS message.
• Start a referral program for commercial customers e.g. 30% discount on your next order when you refer us to another
commercial customer.
Delivery
• Switch from cans to pouches to reduce the mass of packaging.
• Create bigger product sizes to reduce the packaging mass per unit of product.
• Use a delivery company rather than our own lorries for domestic deliveries as they can be
more efficient thanks to backhauling.
248
BM.8 Generate ideas
for the channels block
background information
References and resources
• Green Marketing, Eco-labels and Greenwashing:
• DEFRA, (2011). Green Claims Guidance [Online]. Available from:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/69301/pb13453-green-claims-guidance.pdf
• ISO 14020:2000 Environmental labels and declarations – general
principles. Available from: http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_
detail?csnumber=34425
• Marine Conservation Society. https://www.mcsuk.org/
• The Seven Sins (of greenwashing) (2013). UL Environment.
Available from: http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/findings/the-seven-
sins/
• International Trade Centre (2015). Standards Map: Comparative
analysis and review of voluntary standards. International Trade
Centre. Available from: http://www.standardsmap.org/
Business case for eco-innovation:
• UN Environment (2014). The Business Case for Eco-innovation.
Paris, UN Environment DTIE.
249
250
BM.9
Generate ideas
for the customer
relationships
block
Requires dialogue
251
BM.9 Generate ideas
for the customer relationships block
Eco-innovation offers a variety of opportunities to enhance the Template of Customer Relationship Ideas
relationship between the company and the customer. These are often
linked to changes to the value proposition which can provide an
SWOT
increased frequency and quality of contact points with the customer.
The activity instructions below provide some examples of ways that
customer relationships can be enhanced through eco-innovation.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
• A ‘product/service system’ business model requires the customer
to pay for an on-going service (for the use of a product), instead of
a one-off transaction to purchase the product. This provides many
more opportunities to engage with the user to offer new services
Customer segment
Customer relationships
Value proposition
and gather feedback. For example, the machinery supplier to
the Tasty Tuna Company might offer a product/service system
for its steam boiler equipment that would involve the Tasty Tuna
Company paying a fee for each tonne of tuna cooked using the
equipment instead of purchasing the equipment itself. This would
allow the supplier to offer other added value services such as
maintenance and energy use optimization services.
• A product take-back scheme for end of life products may require
the customer to contact the company to arrange the collection and
recycling of the product. This provides an opportunity to gather
Additional data on the Additional data on
feedback on the customer’s level of satisfaction and perhaps offer
bussines model operational performance
the customer a discount on a new model.
• A longer term engagement with customers can be encouraged
through the creation of a ‘customer sustainability board’,
particularly when dealing with business-to-business customers.
This board can be formed from a small group of motivated
252
BM.9 Generate ideas
for the customer relationships block
253
BM.9 Generate ideas
for the customer relationships block
learning case study of Customer Relationship Ideas
SWOT
• Competition from rival tuna processors driving down profit margins
• Good relationships with fisherpeople.
• Significant fish loss and waste between point of catch and point of consumption.
• Some markets interest in sustainably sourced fish.
Customer segment
Customer relationships
Value proposition
• Create a social media platform with a focus on sustainability where end consumers can find out about the sustainable fishing
methods used and ask questions.
• What if we make fisherpeople our customers? What product/service could we offer to them?
• Create a web sales channel for commercial customers (restaurants, cafes and retailers) so that they can place orders, schedule
delivery to suit their requirements and track delivery progress.
254
BM.10
Generate ideas
for the revenue
streams block
Requires dialogue
255
BM.10 Generate ideas
for the revenue streams block
Innovation in the revenue streams building block will generally be • Sustainability benefits can arise from the fact that the recurring
closely linked to innovations in the value proposition block - changing revenue streams in this type of business model often relate to the
one of these will affect the other. One of the key trends in business use of a product or its servicing and maintenance. An increase in
model innovation has been the interest in switching from transaction revenue for the manufacturer is no longer tightly coupled to the
revenues (customer pays for a product in a one-off payment) to consumption of more resources to produce new products. This can
recurring revenues (customer makes regular payment or subscription help to encourage efficient use of the product or prolong its useful
for continued usage of the product or for additional services). Notable lifetime and creates an incentive for manufacturers to support the
examples include: customer in gaining maximum value from each physical product.
Social benefits can also occur through the creation of new jobs in
• Office printers – Where the customer now has the option to pay
repair, maintenance and customer support roles that are required
a monthly subscription for the use of the machine instead of
to deliver the new services. The Company should ensure that both
purchasing it outright. The subscription fee includes maintenance
women and men benefit from these new job opportunities.
and service costs and varies depending on the number of pages
they print.
• Jet engines – Where the customer pays for the number of hours
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
that the engine is flying and the engine manufacturer takes When considering the options for new revenue streams for the
responsibility for maintenance and servicing. company, there are a number of common areas to consider:
• Digital music – Where the customer can have unlimited access • Maintenance contracts and service fees – performing regular
to a vast collection of songs and albums to listen to for as long as maintenance and service operations can help to ensure optimal
they remain subscribed to the service. performance of a product and that it will reach its design lifetime.
• Chemical leasing – Where, for example, the customer might pay As the manufacturer of the product, the Company should have the
for the service of ‘part cleaning’, rather than for the number of litres right skills and knowledge to offer this service (although being able
of solvent used in the cleaning process. to deliver these services cost-effectively to the customer is likely to
• Many of these business model innovations have significant involve a new set of threats and so requires careful consideration
customer benefits (e.g. reduced capital expenditure requirements, and planning).
wider choice, greater flexibility etc.), but such business models can • Training – helping the customer to get the most value out of their
also have significant sustainability benefits, as well as offering a product by providing training courses can lead to higher customer
competitive advantage for the manufacturer. satisfaction and at the same time can provide a useful revenue
stream for the company.
256
BM.10 Generate ideas
for the revenue streams block
• Licensing – for companies that hold significant intellectual Template of Revenue Streams Ideas
property, the option to license the use of that intellectual property
to a third party can be a low effort way to generate new revenue
streams. Careful consideration must be given to the strategic Revenue streams
implications of licensing partnerships. For instance, could it lead to
new competition within the company’s core customer segments?
Could it involve a loss of control of the brand leading to loss of
brand value? Maintenance Training Licensing
contracts and
• Advertising – the communications channels that the company
service fees
has built with their customers can be valuable to third parties if
they can be used for advertising. This is the foundation of the
‘multi-sided platform’ business models discussed in the activity
BM.4 Generate business model concepts at the big picture level.
Value proposition
Again, careful consideration needs to be given to the impact
of advertising on the overall business to avoid unintended
consequences. For example, will the presence of adverts annoy or
alienate the company’s target customer segments?
257
BM.10 Generate ideas
for the revenue streams block
Learning case study Revenue Streams Ideas
Revenue streams
258
BM.10 Generate ideas
for the revenue streams block
Tips & Tricks background information
References and resources
PRICING STRATEGY FOR from, you can make a more
ECO-INNOVATIONS accurate estimate at the Pricing Strategies:
The main challenge of price that will be acceptable • Gregson, A., (2007). Pricing strategies for small business.
pricing from an eco- to them. Similarly, if dealing Vancouver, Self-Counsel Press.
innovation perspective is with business to consumer
that if you intend to develop products you can try asking Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
a new or significantly the consumer what they Metals Supplements
different value proposition would be willing to pay
it can be difficult to get for the product. When
the right pricing strategy. performing this type of
Deciding on a price market research make
and pricing strategy sure to consult both
for a product is a topic rich and poor, women
discussed extensively and men consumers.
in other literature (e.g.
Gregson, 2007), but one
tip that is useful when
dealing with business to
business customers is to
ask them how they would
make the business case
to their management
team for purchasing the
product. By getting a
better understanding of
the potential cost savings
or increased revenue the
customer is likely to benefit
259
260
BM.11
Generate ideas
for the key
resources block
Requires dialogue
261
BM.11 Generate ideas
for the key resources block
262
BM.11 Generate ideas
for the key resources block
learning case study Key Resources Ideas
263
BM.11 Generate ideas
for the key resources block
Tips & Tricks
Further information in
BUILD CAPACITY IN
the Agri-food, Chemicals and
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Metals Supplements
An interesting area to
explore in future iterations
of the eco-innovation
activities with the company
is staff development and
training. As mentioned
previously, training on topics
such as Life Cycle Thinking
or Cleaner Production can
be a very good way to
support the development
of future eco-innovations.
Social sustainability aspects
should also be covered in
training and participants
should be gender balanced.
This type of training may
not be appropriate as a
first project as it can take
some time for the benefits
of training in eco-innovation
topics to be realized and
should therefore be more
of a long term objective.
264
BM.12
Generate ideas
for the key
activities block
Requires dialogue
265
BM.12 Generate ideas
for the key activities block
Beyond the development of new value propositions (dealt with in the HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
activities BM.6 Generate marketing ideas for the value proposition
block and BM.7 Generate technical ideas for the value proposition See the 9 Windows on the World instructions within the activity BM.7
block) the key activity of most relevance for eco-innovation is Generating technical ideas for block the value proposition.
production processes, since production can be a major contributor • Is there a risk that the key resource may not be available in
to the life cycle sustainability impacts of a product. Many readers the future? For example, the Tasty Tuna Company is extremely
will already have significant experience of Resource Efficiency and dependent on a supply of fresh tuna as a key resource. This supply is
Cleaner Production, therefore the aim of this activity is to introduce under threat due to overfishing.
some templates and considerations which may offer fresh insights
• How can this risk be reduced or mitigated? One way to mitigate
and ideas for both the Service Provider and the Company.
this risk would be to lobby the local government to create and
A good starting point for improving the sustainability performance of enforce fishing quotas. This would offer an environmental benefit by
production processes is with conventional material flow and energy protecting the fish stocks, whilst also providing a more secure future
analyses. Some amount of Input Output Analysis data on energy, for the company and the local fishermen.
water and material flows should have been gathered as part of the
Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and Metals
In-Depth Assessment, but it may be necessary to enhance these data
Supplements
with further data at the level of individual production processes in
order to obtain a more detailed breakdown. This type of analysis can Template of 9 Windows on the World
be useful to identify and quantify the major flows that occur during
the production processes and the sources of waste and emissions.
Subsystem System system
Super
Once you have identified the most significant material, energy and
monetary flows and any specific problems within the production sys-
tem you can use these data to focus your efforts in searching for ways
to reduce the environmental, social and economic impacts of these
flows. To help generate innovation ideas systematic approaches such
as the 9 Windows on the World template can be employed.
Before process Process After process
266
BM.12 Generate ideas
for the key activities block
learning case study of 9 Windows on the World
One of the key principles of the 9 Windows on the World template
is extending the scope of the problem. In some instances, this may
Super system
mean looking beyond the production processes that take place Activities of the retailer
Supplier to identify
within the company, into the wider value chain. For example, if (which damages the coating
alternative coatings with
The Tasty Tuna Company would like to address the problem of and enhances the release
reduced Bisphenol-A
chemicals leaching from the plastic coating of the tin can they could of chemicals from the
content
coating)
ask their can supplier to identify alternative coatings with reduced
Bisphenol-A content. Taking a wider systems perspective, they could
also investigate their distribution operations and the activities of
the retailer to understand why tins get dented (which damages the
coating and enhances the release of chemicals from the coating).
Alternatively, they could commission a local technical university
to investigate alternative packaging materials such as foil/plastic Packaging materials which
System
laminate pouches, which do not need the same type of internal do not need the same Chemicals leaching
type of internal coating from the plastic coating
coating that is prone to leaching of chemicals.
that is prone to leaching of of the tin can
These examples demonstrate why it can be useful to try to chemical
engage suppliers, customers and other partners in the search for
opportunities for eco-innovation within production processes. The
BM.13 Generating ideas for the key partnerships block activity
provides further advice on this topic.
Subsystem
Requires dialogue
269
BM.13 Generate ideas
for the key partnerships block
In the activity ‘PR.3 Build the right external partnerships’, the need for you HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
as a Service Provider to develop general partnerships in order to be able
to provide a comprehensive eco-innovation service to the companys was Initial engagement
discussed. At this stage, the focus is on the specific types of partnership 1. The first challenge is to identify potentially relevant partners,
that the company can develop to support their eco-innovation activities. decide which organisations to target first, and make initial contact
Here the focus is on partnerships with suppliers. with a suitable person within that organisation. Strategies to help
with this include:
Suppliers, of both physical goods and services, often have a very
direct contribution to the sustainability performance of a company’s • Perform a stakeholder mapping and develop an engagement
products. In recent years there has been an increase in instances strategy for the different types of partner.
of sustainability requirements being passed down through a supply • Begin by engaging large companies that may have more
chain. In some cases this may be part of a sustainable procurement influence over the supply chain.
policy initiated by one or more of the higher level customers due • Identify the partners that are already pro-actively addressing
to growing consumer demand, resource constraints or legislation, sustainability issues.
such as restricted substances regulations as well as perceived
• Work with trade associations, small business associations, free
benefits from sustainability. To encourage eco-innovation it is not
economic zones or eco-industrial parks that can help you to
enough to simply pass on customer requirements. More wide ranging
engage large groups of companies that are facing a common
discussions between the company and their suppliers need to take
sustainability challenge. Where trade associations do not exist,
place so that both sides can contribute their knowledge and insight to
encourage the formation of ad-hoc consortia or business clubs
identify opportunities for improvement.
to tackle specific issues.
The willingness of suppliers to engage in eco-innovation activities will • Dedicate time and effort to developing your personal network
be highly dependent on the context. For instance, a small company of contacts in the industry.
purchasing materials from a large multi-national will likely struggle to
get engagement from that supplier, because they represent a very Developing the collaboration
small fraction of the supplier’s revenue stream and often there will 2. Next you need to convince the potential partner of the business
be intermediary distributors between the company and the multi- case for proceeding with the partnership by talking to their Senior
national supplier. There are a variety of other challenges that you Management Team. Strategies to help with this include:
many encounter when trying to engage value chain partners in eco-
• Take time to think about and clearly articulate the business case
innovation activities. Guidance on how to develop partnerships and
for collaboration from the perspective of the partner.
overcome these challenges is provided in the template.
270
BM.13 Generate ideas
for the key partnerships block
• Build up a collection of successful case studies of value chain • Make sure that key technical details of a proposed solution are
collaboration that demonstrate the business benefits. clearly captured using a ‘requirements specification’. Guidance
• Try to understand the sustainability threats faced by your partners on how to write an effective requirements specification
and generate ideas for solutions that create a win-win scenario. is provided in the activity BR.3 Define and prioritise the
requirements of the first project.
• Organize a seminar where companies facing a common challenge
can discuss ideas how to overcome those threats. Sources of further information on supplier engagement and managing
raw materials supply risks are provided in the Background Information
• Start with small-scale, low investment collaborations with a new
section of this activity.
partner. Success on small projects can lead to the trust and
confidence required for larger projects. Template of Partnerships Ideas
• Make sure intellectual property is protected on all sides by
signing a mutual non-disclosure agreement.
Key partnerships
• Offer training to buyers throughout the value chain to help
them understand the importance and benefits of engaging in
sustainability initiatives and making sustainability issues part of
their buying criteria. Partner Challenges to Strategies
company partnership to overcome
Implementation
them
Value proposition
3. Finally, you need to support the implementation of the partnership
and help overcome challenges such as: differences in priorities; Main benefits
lack of trust and transparency; different ways of working; and of the
cultural differences. Strategies to help with this include: partnership
• Make sure that the aims and objectives of the collaboration
from all sides are clearly expressed from the start. This will help
to ensure alignment of priorities.
• Take time to learn more about the organizations you collaborate with
and the key personnel you are working with to help build a better
understanding of their viewpoint, culture, ways of working etc.
271
BM.13 Generate ideas
for the key partnerships block
learning case study Of Key Partnerships Ideas
Pressure to ensure that the local tuna stocks are system by limiting by-catch and physical damage to
not overfished, and that what fishing that does take the environment.
place has minimum impact on the marine eco-
Fishing community
• Lack of knowledge and trust • Targeting large international
on alternative types of fishing retailers with strong sustainable
method and quota that would be procurement policies.
Value proposition
considered sustainable • Support from a third party, such
Main benefits of the
as the local fisheries agency, to
partnership
provide guidance to the fishermen
Higher sales revenues for their tuna
and the company will support this by
targeting large international retailers
with strong sustainable procurement
policies ig they transition to more
sustainable fishing methods.
272
BM.13 Generate ideas
for the key partnerships block
Tips & Tricks background information
References and resources
HELP WITH TECHNOLOGY
Further advice on how Technology issues:
to engage value chain
partners in eco-innovation • UN Environment (2016). Technologies for Eco-innovation. UN
activities that have Environment DTIE, Paris.
a strong technology Stakeholder engagement and partnership initiation:
focus is provided in the
• Account Ability, United Nations Environment Programme, Stakeholder
publication ‘Technologies
Research Associates Canada Inc (2005). The stakeholder engagement
for Eco-innovation’ (UN
manual. Volume 2: The practitioner’s handbook on stakeholder
Environment, 2016).
engagement. Available from: http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/
WEBx0115xPA-SEhandbookEN.pdf
• Stanley, C. (2013). Topic guide: engaging suppliers in sustainability
ENGAGE SUPPLIERS ON [Online]. Available from: http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILIT Engaging%20suppliers%20in%20sustainability%20Topic%20Guide%20
Discussions with suppliers -%20final%20v1.pdf
about eco-innovation can
be a great opportunity to Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
discuss ways in which social Metals Supplements
sustainability performance
can be improved across
the value chain, including
improving gender equality
in the value chain (i.e.
women are dramatically
underrepresented in
technology value chains).
273
274
BM.14
Generate ideas
for the cost
structure block
Requires dialogue
275
BM.14 Generate ideas
for the cost structure block
All companies want to reduce costs, but the need to understand and to work unsociable hours and for local residents if it means noisy
reduce the costs associated with operating a business model is more delivery lorries arriving and departing during the night.
important for some models than others. ‘Value-driven’ companies
Further information in the Agri-food, Chemicals and
focus on providing a high quality value proposition in return for a
Metals Supplements
premium price and can therefore afford to spend more in order to
generate higher revenues. Luxury hotels are a good example of Template of Cost Structure Ideas
a value-driven business model. At the other end of the spectrum
are ‘cost-driven’ business models, such as ‘low cost airlines’. Most Value-driven Cost-driven
companies will fall somewhere between these two extremes.
Care must be taken when discussing the potential economies of Impacts on social sustainability
scale or scope benefits to also consider the potential negative
social sustainability impacts. For instance, increasing and intensifying
production by adding a ‘night shift’ to the production schedule could
have negative consequences for employees who may be required
276
BM.14 Generate ideas
for the cost structure block
learning case study of Cost Structure Ideas
Value-driven Where would the company sit on this continuum? Cost-driven
• Invest in more energy efficient cooking equipment. • Introduce new tuna product lines that could use the same processing
• Add a night shift to double production with the existing facilities. facilities e.g. tuna in sauce.
• Introduce new, non-tuna product lines that would require more manual
processing but could all be done by our skilled processing operatives.
• Use spare space on our lorries to deliver other products to retailers
(alongside our tuna products) from other local food processors.
• Doubling production would accelerate and exacerbate the tuna stock depletion problem
• Introduction of night shift would result in unsocial hours for staff and round the clock lorry movements
(noisy for local residents)
• Introducing non-tuna products might reduce pressure on tuna stocks.
• Delivering other producers products would reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
277
Step
activitIES overview
In this step you should work with the Focal Point and other relevant
BM.15 BM.18 company employees to evaluate the business model options you
Evaluate the benefits Integrate all the have generated and select which one to pitch. The basic criteria to
evaluations and consider during the evaluation process are:
BM.16 make the final
Evaluate the costs selection • What are the potential benefits (economic, environmental and social)?
BM.17 • What are the likely costs involved in implementing this business
Evaluate the risks model in terms of investment of time, money and effort?
278
BM.15
Evaluate
the benefits
Requires dialogue
279
BM.15 Evaluate the benefits
The potential benefits of each business model option should be Template of Life Cycle Business Benefits
captured using a simplified version of the Life Cycle Thinking
template. Within this template, the benefits in terms of the six Environmental Social Economic
sustainability metrics can be detailed for each phase of the life cycle. impacts Impacts impacts
The objective is to assess the benefits in each cell of the matrix,
providing some quantification of these benefits where possible.
Materials
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Take one of the business model concept you have generated and
remind yourself of the sustainability hotspots or strategic threats
and opportunities the concept helps to address. Production
2. List the benefits relative to the current business model in the
relevant cell of the simplified Life Cycle Thinking template. It can
be easier to work through one life cycle phase at a time starting
with the ‘Raw materials’ phase.
Transportation
3. Once you have listed the benefits for the first business model
concept, repeat the process for the remaining business model
concepts.
End of life
280
BM.15 Evaluate the benefits
• Fishermen have incentive to transition to sustainable • Fishermen’s cooperative can be utilized to improve • Profits isolated to some extent from fluctuations
Materials
fishing methods as they will directly benefit through working conditions on boats. in wholesale cost of tuna.
higher prices for their finished product. • More secure and well-paid jobs for fishermen by
distributing profits more evenly.
• Member network fees can be used to invest in • Recurring revenues and higher profit margins will • Recurring revenue of €50,000 if 100 fishermen
Production
energy and cost saving measures. improve job security for our staff. join member network at €500/year.
• Gross profit of €160,000 per year (based on
500 tonnes of tuna sold).
Transportation
responsible retailers.
End of life
281
282
BM.16
Evaluate the costs
Requires dialogue
283
BM.16 Evaluate the costs
284
BM.16 Evaluate the costs
Key Partners Key Activities Value Propositions Customer Relationships Customer Segments
Fishermen + Tuna processing + Tuna processing and canning Telephone-based personal The fishermen
service customer service
Mechanic (for vehicle Distribution +
maintenance) + Distribution and sale service Membership network --
Accounting -
Higher margins for fishermen
from selling finished canned
product rather than raw tuna
fish
285
286
BM.17
Evaluate the risks
Requires dialogue
287
BM.17 Evaluate the risks
An important part of the role of the Service Provider is to provide the HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
company with the motivation and confidence to make bold choices to
make rapid progress towards a more sustainable future. However, this Preparation
should not be based on uncalculated risks. Therefore, it is important 1. Identify a group of insightful and experienced people from the
to ensure that actions are being taken to identify and manage all company, who have prior experience of projects within the
possible risks. For this task, a Risk Register can be used to structure company, both from a technology and a commercial viewpoint.
an exercise to become aware of all related risks and define potential 2. Together with the group, gather a gross list of risks connected to
corrective actions, where necessary. Risks can be identified through the project upon which you are working. This list can be generated
a combination of prior experience, the company’s own scepticism, from a combination of sources, such as prior experience, own
and by conducting a brainstorming session. Instructions on how to scepticism, or the result of a structured brainstorm.
conduct this type of session are provided below.
Applying the Risk Register template
In terms of mitigating risks, one of the activities you can do is to 3. Take the Risk Register template and begin filling in the fields – one
test out some of the assumptions that appear in the business row per identified risk. An explanation of each field in the template
model options. One of the most important building blocks to test is is provided below and is accompanied by an example.
the Value Proposition block as if your target customer groups do
• Risk code: This simply helps the project manager to keep track
not value your product or service the business model will fail. For
of each risk and creates a reference to check performance
example, if the Tasty Tuna Company wanted to test the assumption
against.
that fishermen would be willing to pay for a tuna processing and
distribution service they could perform interviews with several of • Risk name: The risk is described in this field – only one risk
the fishermen that are currently their suppliers to discuss this idea. per entry.
This activity would require some time and effort to implement, but it • Risk category: A category list can be defined, so as to
is far better to make this small investment at this stage, then commit facilitate an easy organization of the risks for the company.
to a whole scale change in business model only to find that your The categories could relate to the product life cycle, company
assumptions were incorrect. departments, or a complete other set of categories.
• Probability (1-3): Enter a simple score, showing 1 for a low
likelihood of the risk materializing into an actual problem, 3 for a
high likelihood.
288
BM.17 Evaluate the risks
• Impact (1-3): Evaluate the potential negative impact on the Template of Risk Register
project and/or company, from 1 to low negative impact to 3, for
high negative impact. Risk Register for _____________
• Risk score: Multiply the probability score with the impact score,
to attain a risk score. This score should help the company to
prioritize their efforts.
Impact description
• Mitigation: Write here a consideration of how which measures
Probability (1-3)
could (and probably will) be taken to stop the risk from
Contingency
Action date
materializing.
(1-3)
Risk score
Mitigation
Action by
• Contingency: Prepare for worst-case by preparing a
Impact
contingency plan, in case the risk does manifest itself as an
actual problem.
• Action date: Record when it is decided to take action
• Action by: Record who is responsible for mitigating each risk.
289
BM.17 Evaluate the risks
Risk Register for Tasty Tuna Company - Cooperative business model proposal
Risk code and Impact description Probability Impact Risk Mitigation Contingency Action Action
name (1-3) (1-3) score date by
Risk 01 • Product removed 3 3 9 Work with licensed fishing Work with a variety of 14/01/15 Mr. Tasty
from market. companies and ask to fishing companies, at
Tuna caught
• Loss of reputation see evidence of quota least for first 2 years
illegally
• Fine of imprisonment compliance.
• Loss of key suppliers
Risk 02 • Loss of revenue 1 3 3 Hold meeting with senior Continue to offer current 22/02/15 Mrs. Tuna
• Loss of key suppliers fishermen to explain risk transactional business
Fisherman not
of business as usual model during transition
willing to join
approach and benefits of period to maintain
cooperative
cooperative model. revenue if uptakes is
slow.
290
BM.17 Evaluate the risks
Risk Register for Tasty Tuna Company - Cooperative business model proposal
Risk code and Impact description Probability Impact Risk Mitigation Contingency Action Action
name (1-3) (1-3) score date by
Risk 03 • Poor product sales 2 3 6 Carefully planned Prepare a list of 23/06/15 Mr. Tasty
marketing campain FAQ’s and answer all
Customer rejects
possible questions
product
from customer’s well in
advance
Risk 04 • Poor product sales 2 3 6 Consider creating a Be prepared with 14/06/15 Mrs. Tuna
• Loss of reputation parallel brand for the detailed environmental
Customer
product, so as not to product declarations
misunderstands
confuse or endanger the beforehand
the project as
existing brand.
green-washing
291
BM.17 Evaluate the risks
292
BM.18
Integrate all the
evaluations and
make the final
selection
Requires dialogue
293
BM.18 Integrate all the evaluations
and make the final selection
To enable the selection of the best business model option, it can be were ‘high’ risk would mean a high probability of failure in the
useful to provide a summary of the evaluation you have performed implementation of the new business model and serious negative
using the Business Model Evaluation template. The template brings consequences of failure.
together in one document information on each of the key metrics for 3. For the cost indicators, use any data you have compiled on
evaluating the business model options. the investment costs to state an estimate of the upfront capital
Whilst the matrix provides a useful summary, it is important that investment required to implement the new business model. Use
the senior management team also familiarize themselves with the the results of the implementation effort evaluation to score the im-
detailed data that you have gathered and collated in compiling the plementation effort on a scale of high, medium or low; were ‘high’
matrix so that they can provide rigorous critical review and come to effort would mean a significant proportion of company personnel
an informed decision. You should therefore circulate this information involved in the implementation over an extended period of time.
to the Senior Management Team well in advance of organizing the 4. Once you have completed the matrix decide which of the business
meeting to decide on the best business model option. model options you will pitch the CEO in the next step.
2. Using the results of the Risk Register, assess the long term risk
Costs
294
BM.18 Integrate all the evaluations
and make the final selection
learning case study of business model evaluation
Resource use 2 3 5 3
Ecosystem quality 2 4 4 3
Profitability 2 3 4 3
Upfront capital investment (state cost estimate) (None) € 15,000 € 74,000 € 3,000
Costs
295
BM.18 Integrate all the evaluations
and make the final selection
background information
References and resources
296
297
Step
activitIES overview
The final activity in this phase is to pitch the new business model
BM.19 proposal to the CEO and the Senior Management Team.
Pitch the new The final decision to proceed with implementing the new business
business model to model may take some time and may require you to revise some of
the CEO the details or perform further testing of assumptions. Throughout
the decision-making process, it is important that you provide
encouragement to guide the company towards a more profitable and
sustainable business model.
298
BM.19
Pitch the new
business model
to the CEO
Complex activity
299
BM.19 Pitch the new business model
to the CEO
Pitching the new business model will involve presenting a lot of Template of Business Model Pitch
information. This information should be provided to the CEO and the
Senior Management Team well in advance of the pitch meeting so
Business model name Operations Benefits
that they have time to review it and prepare questions. Guidance on
what to include in your pitch is provided below.
Business model in a
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT nutshell
Key points to present in your business model pitch include:
300
BM.19 Pitch the new business model
to the CEO
learning case study of Business Model Pitch
Business model name
Sustainable fish processing service for Operations Benefits
• Fisherpeople will have to pay an annual subscription to access • Estimated gross profit of $160,000
fisherpeople per year once fully implemented
the membership network
• Will then charge a set price per tonne of fish processed • Enhances security of supply of fish
• Fisherpeople retain ownership of fish and once processed for processing
Business model in a nutshell can sell themselves or pay an additional fee for distribution, • Incentive for fisherpeople to
marketing and sales service transition to sustainable fishing
• Membership fees would be invested in energy saving and methods and improve working
Instead of purchasing, processing and selling fish conditions on boats
waste reduction measures - this would be reflected in lower
processing costs in future years • Member network fees can be
we will offer a fish processing service targeted at invested in energy saving and waste
• Membership fees would also support introduction of
sustainable fishing practices through training, creation of reduction measures
fisherpeople. Will use the enhanced relationship with
a code of conduct, auditing etc. This would cover working
conditions on fishing boats
fisherpeople to ensure continued access to fish and
• Peer-to-peer sales would involve fisher people encouraging
their peers to join the membership network
to encourage sustainable fishing practices. • Greatly enhance accounting system would be required to
manage sales, subscriptions, and payments to fisherpeople Costs
(when using the additional distribution, marketing and sales • $5,000 to establish membership
service) network
Effort • $3,000 to establish peer-to-peer
sales channel
• Create a membership network for • $7,000 to introduce new accounting
fisherpeople system
• Establish new peer-to-peer sales
channel
• Introduce an enhanced accounting
system
301
BUILD ROADMAP
Defining a new business model
to deliver the business strategy
Phase 4 — BR
BUILD ROADMAP
Build a roadmap
for eco-innovation
implementation
activitIES overview
The first activity is to prepare for a roadmapping workshop by
BR.1 BR.2 BR.3 summarising the main benefits, costs and risks of each of the
Prepare for the Carrying out a Define and prioritise operational level innovation ideas that appear in the new business
roadmapping roadmapping the requirements of model. This information is then used in a roadmapping workshop to
workshop workshop with input the first project generate a roadmap detailing how the company will transition to its
from value chain desired new business model and achieve its goals through a series
partners of projects for eco-innovation. The third activity involves defining the
technical requirements for the first project.
306
BR.1
Prepare for the
roadmapping
workshop
Requires dialogue
307
BR.1 Prepare for the roadmapping workshop
For your chosen business model, you should have a number of • Scheduling considerations: Prerequisites for the innovation
innovation ideas outlined that will be necessary to complete in order idea, the availability of personnel or partners, and any external
to implement the business model. deadlines (e.g. new legislation compliance deadline) should be
captured in this column.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT 2. Repeat the process until all of the innovation ideas are
1. Select one of the innovation ideas from the new business model represented by a row of Roadmap Development Matrix. template
and fill out a row within the Roadmap Development Matrix template
Further information in the Agri-foods, Chemicals and Metals
against the following headings:
Supplements
• Innovation idea title: Descriptive title for the innovation idea.
• Benefits: Brief description of the business benefits that can be
Template of Roadmap Development Matrix
realized once this innovation has been implemented (e.g. cost
Innovation
idea title
Benefits
Capital
investment
Implementation
effort
Approx
total cost
Implementation
risk
Scheduling considerations
saving, comply with legislative requirement, increase product
sales, improved market understanding etc.). Some innovation
ideas may not deliver any immediate business benefit as
they are a stepping stone towards the implementation of the
complete business model.
• Capital investment: Upfront financial investment required to
complete the innovation.
• Implementation effort and cost: Estimate of the person months of work
required to implement the innovation idea and multiply by the average
monthly salary to get an approximate labour cost.
• Approximate total cost and payback period: Add the capital
cost and labour cost to get a total cost. Divide the total cost
by the monthly cost savings or increased revenue due to the
innovation to calculate the payback period in months.
• Implementation risk: The probability of the innovation failing and
the impact of such a failure on the company.
308
BR.1 Prepare for the roadmapping workshop
Innovation idea title Benefits Capital Implementation effort (and Approx total cost and Implementation risk Scheduling considerations
investment labour cost) payback period (High/Medium/Low)
• Family friendly • Reduced staff turnover and • $0 • 3 person months ($600) • $1,200 • Low • Changes to employment
working policy reduced training costs (approx. 3 months contracts require a 3
$5,000/year) month consultation
period.
• Reduce fish loss in • Immediate cost saving (approx. • $16,500 • 6 person months • $17,700 • Medium • None
factory $24,000/year) ($1,200) 9 months
• Marketing • Increased product sales • $21,000 • 8 person months • $22,600 • Medium • Need to complete all
campaign to launch (approx. $20,000 this year) ($1,600) 13.5 months sustainable fishing
sustainably sourced projects first.
fish product
• Establish sustainable • Stepping stone to sustainable • $4,000 • 6 person months over • $5,200 • High • None
fishing cooperative fishing 24 months ($1,200) N/A
• Sustainable fishing • Stepping stone to sustainable • $15,000 • 4 person months over • $15,800 • Medium • Need to establish
– Eliminate purse fishing 12 months ($800) N/A sustainably fishing
seine and long line cooperative first.
gear
• Sustainable • Stepping stone to sustainable • $500 • 4 person months over • $1,300 • Low • Need to establish
fishing – Eliminate fishing 12 months ($800) N/A sustainably fishing
Fish Aggregation cooperative first.
Devices
• Sustainable fishing – • Stepping stone to sustainable • $4,000 • 8 person months over • $5,600 • High • Need to establish
Introduce quota fishing 18 months ($1,600) N/A sustainably fishing
cooperative first.
• Introduce seafood • New product line will generate • $75,000 • 24 person months • $79,800 • High • Need to agree
dishes additional revenue (approx. ($4,800) 24 months timescales with
$40,000 profit in year 1) cooperative fishermen
309
310
BR.2
Do a roadmapping
workshop with
input from value
chain partners
Complex activity
311
BR.2 Do a roadmapping workshop
with input from value chain partners
There are two important considerations for the roadmapping to end up with projects that are between 1 month and 12 months in
workshop. The first is how to obtain input from key value chain duration. Projects shorter than 1 month may not be very productive
partners and stakeholders because many innovation ideas will rely once the management overhead for setting up and closing down the
on the involvement of external stakeholders or value chain partners. project are taken into account. For projects longer than 12 months
Refer back to the Life Cycle Stakeholders template you completed in maintaining the motivation of the staff and tracking progress can
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships, to remind yourself of who become difficult.
the key stakeholders may be. One option is to complete an internal
roadmapping workshop first and then invite the key stakeholders and HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
partners to provide their feedback and input within a separate meeting.
1. Review the Roadmap Development Matrix template if it contains
Alternatively, where an idea is particularly important to the overall
some very large innovation ideas (that will require over 12 months
roadmap, you may wish to hold a meeting with the partners first to
to implement) try to break these up into a series of smaller projects
discuss the scope and possible timing of a project and then hold the
of 1-12 months’ duration. Similarly, if the roadmap contains some
internal roadmapping workshop at a later date (refer back to the activity
very small innovation ideas, try to group these into a single project
PR.3 Build the right external partnerships for advice on how to engage
of at least one month’s duration.
potential partners for eco-innovation). Whichever method you apply for
2. Once you have split/grouped the innovation ideas into reasonable
gathering input from value chain partners, the roadmap is not complete
sized projects for eco-innovation, the next step is to create a
until the relevant sections have been reviewed and approved by the
logical sequence in which to tackle the projects, keeping in mind
partners that will be involved in its implementation – which can be a
the following considerations:
substantial task.
• Start by analyzing the pre-requisites for each project for eco-
The second important consideration for the roadmapping workshop
innovation, as these are often non-negotiable.
is how to organize the innovation ideas into ‘projects for eco-
• Projects that are low cost, have a short payback period and are
innovation’. Some innovation ideas may be very large and require
low risk are the ideal starting points for companies that are new
several person-years of effort to implement. This type of innovation
to eco-innovation.
idea will be easier to implement and manage if it is split into several
smaller projects. Conversely, some innovation ideas may be very • However, after the first couple of projects it is important to start
small and easy to implement. It might therefore make sense to group some of the more challenging, long-term projects otherwise
together several of these small innovation ideas to form a single they might never be completed.
project. When performing this breaking-up of large innovation ideas • Projects implementing innovation ideas that impact on the
and grouping together of small innovation ideas, you should aim ‘customer facing’ (right) half of the business model canvas may
312
BR.2 Do a roadmapping workshop
with input from value chain partners
be considered inherently higher risk than those that impact on Template of Roadmap
the ‘back end’ (left) half of the canvas.
• Where a project for eco-innovation will require input from Project
specialist personnel or external partners, the availability of the Strategic goal
duration
necessary personnel/partner may dictate when the innovation
is implemented.
• Do any of the strategic goals have a short timeline for comple- Innovation Title
tion? If so, the projects for eco-innovation linked to that goal will
need to be prioritized for early implementation in the roadmap.
3. Use the logical sequence you have developed for the projects to
build a roadmap diagram which shows the relationship between
strategic goals and projects as well as the sequencing and
estimated duration of each project for eco-innovation, following the Link to other
example provided below. innovation projects
4. Make sure that you have clearly defined the scope for each
project on the roadmap and captured any significant details
of exclusions from the scope. In particular, make sure that the
scope of the first project on the roadmap has been agreed and
recorded - further advice on defining the scope of the first project
is provided in the next activity.
5. Organize a meeting to discuss the roadmap with each of the
value chain partners that will be involved in one or more project
for eco-innovation. Use the meeting to confirm that the scope,
timing and deliverables for the projects they are involved in and
check that they are still willing and able to participate in the eco-
innovation activities.
313
BR.2 Do a roadmapping workshop
with input from value chain partners
Learning Case Study of Roadmap
314
BR.2 Do a roadmapping workshop
with input from value chain partners
Tips & Tricks
315
316
BR.3
Define and
prioritise the
requirements of
the first project
Requires dialogue
317
BR.3 Define and prioritise
the requirements of the first project
A ‘requirement’ is a singular, documented physical and functional Guidance on how to complete the Requirements Specification
need that a particular design, product or process must be able to template is provided below. This activity can be completed by
perform. The level of detail concerning the technical requirements for yourself or with input from relevant members of staff from the
the innovation ideas that were captured during the SET BUSINESS company if available to assist you.
MODEL phase was sufficient to estimate the likely sustainability bene-
fits and investment costs, but at this stage it is necessary to provide a HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
complete set of technical requirements that can be used to guide the
1. Work through the life cycle of the emerging project to identify key
development process. Note that for simplicity it is assumed that the
areas where requirements need to be defined. Record each area
first project for eco-innovation involves just one innovation idea.
for focus in a list.
The Requirements Specification template is used to capture the 2. Take the Requirements Specification template and begin filling
decisions about the technical requirements of the innovation in hand. in the fields – one row per key area identified. The fields of the
The purpose of the requirements specification is to define the basic template are as follows:
characteristics and properties of the innovation idea in a structured
• Number or code: This simply helps the project manager to
and solution-neutral format. It can also be a helpful communication
keep track of each requirement and creates a reference to
tool for use with any value chain partners involved in the project to
check performance against.
ensure that expectations for the project are aligned. Value chain
• Mandatory requirement: This field is where the requirement is
partners involved in the project should therefore have an opportunity
described. Take care to fill in the requirements by stating “what”
to review and provide feedback on the Requirements Specification
but not “how” each requirement should perform. Describing
before finalization.
the “what” sets a measurable target for the project, whereas
Filling in the Requirements Specification template is carried out in a describing “how” (even though tempting) may limit the solution
structured manner, typically following the life cycle of the innovation that space and cut out valuable innovation opportunities.
is being developed. The template includes a column for prioritization of
• Comments: This field leaves room for members of the project to
the requirements. There are a number of good reasons to create and
remind themselves of reasons for including the requirement, gen-
maintain a prioritized list of requirements such as:
eral questions about the technological elements of the solution,
• Prioritization can be used to adjust the scope of the project. recommendations from other colleagues or similar projects, etc.
• The initial prioritization can also be used to help plan the work • Priority: This field helps to communicate the relative importance
schedule of various parameters of the solution.
318
BR.3 Define and prioritise
the requirements of the first project
Requirement
Comments
Priority (MSCW)
Review date
Reviewed / Approved
319
BR.3 Define and prioritise
the requirements of the first project
Learning Case Study oF Requirements Specification
Requirements specification for: Tasty Tuna Company - Water usage reduction project 01
Number or code Requirement Comments Priority (MSCW) Review date Reviewed / Approved
Req01 Reduce water Lorenzo method of thawing proven S 01/02/15 Mr. Tasty
consumption in thawing to achieve this level of water saving
process to 3m3 per tonne performance.
of processed fish
Req02 Eliminate water usage in ‘Filleting’ includes all processes from M 31/03/15 Mrs. Tuna
filleting operation. end of thawing to start of canning
process.
Req03 Capture >80% of solid Market has been identified for S 15/06/15 Mr. Tasty
organic waste from use of entrails and fish scraps in
filleting operation for fishmeal products.
reprocessing.
Req05 Cleaning requirement Relates to the cleaning of the water S 01/02/15 Mrs. Tuna
of less than 0.5 person saving equipment installed (if any),
hours per 8 hour shift. not the cleaning of the fish product.
320
BR.3 Define and prioritise
the requirements of the first project
Tips & Tricks Background information
References and resources:
HELP WITH KEEP PRIORITIES
TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED • MoSCoW method: Coley, P. 2012. ‘MoSCoW Prioritization’ [Online] .
If the innovation idea When prioritising the Available from: http://www.coleyconsulting.co.uk/moscow.htm
that will be tackled requirements, it is important • UN Environment (2016). Technologies for Eco-innovation. UN
during the project to be disciplined and avoid Environment DTIE, Paris
involves a significant making every requirement
technology element a ‘must’. Keep in mind that Further information in the Agri-foods, Chemicals
then it will be useful to there may be deadlines and Metals Supplements
read the accompanying for the development and
publication ‘Technologies implementation of the
for Eco-innovation’ (UN innovation idea and it is
Environment, 2016), which usually better to deliver
provides guidance on on time with a limited set
technology development of requirements fulfilled
and technology transfer than late with more
for eco-innovation. requirements fulfilled.
UPDATE PRIORITIES
REGULARLY
Once the project has
started, the requirement
prioritization should be
regularly updated.
321
Step
Get senior
management approval
for the implementation
roadmap
activitIES overview
With the roadmap generated, you now have a complete plan for what
BR.4 the company’s eco-innovative future could look like and how it could
Pitch the be achieved. This is therefore the time to seek the Senior Management
implementation Team’s final approval to start the implementation activities.
roadmap to the CEO
322
BR.4
Pitch the
implementation
roadmap to the
CEO
Complex activity
323
BR.4 Pitch the implementation
roadmap to the CEO
This pitch provides a summary of all the key outputs to date and The output of the meeting is likely to be one of the following decisions:
provides the CEO and Senior Management Team a chance to review
• Agree to proceed – Well done! Proceed to the IMPLEMENTATION
the whole plan for eco-innovation at the company covering the
phase.
business strategy, the business model and the roadmap of projects
• Request for more information – if there are unanswered queries
through which the strategy and business model will be implemented.
following the presentation you may be required to go back
A suggested structure for the pitch is provided below.
to some of the earlier steps to fill in missing details or identify
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT evidence in support of key assumptions. It is important to agree a
timescale for the next review in order to avoid the project stalling.
• Begin by providing a brief reminder of the business strategy and
• Pause – there may be many reasons why the company might not
business model.
feel ready to proceed with the project. Try to determine exactly
• Describe the benefits of implementing the proposed strategy what it is about their current situation that is making them reluctant
and business model, providing as much detail as you can about to proceed. Try to identify ways that you can help the company to
the economic, environmental and social benefits. You might get to a position where they would be ready to begin the project.
also want to remind the senior management team of the risks of
• Abandon – at this stage it is unlikely the company will abandon
taking a business as usual approach by highlighting some of the
eco-innovation entirely but it may be that another idea is now
sustainability hotspots and the threat they pose to the company.
preferred. Try to investigate what has caused this change of
• Provide an overview of the roadmap for implementation that you preference before deciding how to proceed.
have generated.
• Describe in more detail some of the early projects on the roadmap, Template of Roadmap Pitch
including the likely costs and payback period if available.
• Introduce the value chain partners that will be involved in the imple- Business strategy Business model Implementation
mentation activities and how you both benefit from the partnership. If roadmap
you have already met with the partner describe the level of agree-
ment you have reached concerning how the project will work.
• Finish by providing an overview of the on-going services that you
can offer to support the implementation activities.
Key partnerships Your support services
324
BR.4 Pitch the implementation
roadmap to the CEO
Learning Case Study Roadmap Pitch
• Need to establish collaboration with Fisheries Ministry to support the • Proposed service includes three days per week project management during
implementation of sustainable fishing methods first three years
325
IMPLEMENT
Implementing the first project for eco-innovation
that will help to realise the new business strategy
and business model
Phase 5 — IM
IMPLEMENT
activitIES overview
The main input of the Service Provider at this stage is in creating a
IM.1 project plan for the first project for eco-innovation. This plan needs
Create a project plan to be approved by the Senior Management Team before the work
IM.2 can begin. Once the project is up and running, your input will be to
Present the project provide some management guidance to keep the project on track.
plan to the Senior Some advice on this topic is given provided covering some of the
Management Team more challenging aspects of supporting a project for eco-innovation.
330
IM.1
Create a
project plan
Simple activity
331
IM.1 Create a project plan
The aim of creating a project plan for the first project for eco-innovation will contribute to the implementation of the new business model
is to help ensure that the project runs smoothly and effectively. By and the achievement of the strategic goals.
creating a clear plan, you will avoid raising the concerns of the Senior 2. What will be the deliverables from the project? The sustainability
Management Team who may require the opportunity to review and benefits of the project should have been identified in the BUILD
sign-off the plan before allowing work to commence. ROADMAP phase. At this stage it is important to understand what
To help you create a project plan, the ‘Project Canvas’ template is actually needs to be delivered in order to realize those benefits. In
provided below, although some companies may want you to use their some cases the scope of the project may not extend to delivering
own project planning template. Whatever template you use, the key the complete innovation idea. If the aim of the project is to create
questions you need to think about are described below. a partial solution, as a stepping stone to the full solution, the plan
332
IM.1 Create a project plan
needs to clearly identify the limitations of the project deliverables 5. What are the implications for other parts of the company and
with respect to the complete solution i.e. “The ultimate aim is to value chain partners? The project for eco-innovation selected
implement a Design for Sustainability procedure across all design may focus on one or two particular business model blocks but it is
teams. In this project the scope is limited to implementing the pro- important to consider the possible implications for the other blocks.
cedure with a single design team.” In particular, could the project proposal be adapted in some way in
3. What resources are required to complete the project? The order to generate wider benefits across the company or for value
evaluation of the cost and effort of implementing the new chain partners?
business model (described in the activity BM.16 Evaluate the 6. How will the project be managed? The project plan needs to
costs) should have identified the main costs for the company provide a suggestion for how the project will be managed. This
of implementing the innovation idea, but some effort should be should make clear:
made to list the resources required including budget, personnel, • Who is ultimately responsible for the success of the project?
equipment. Particular focus should be given to resources that are
• When and how will project progress be reported?
not currently available (e.g. test facilities) and how they might be
• Will the project run alongside day-to-day operations or be
sourced (e.g. work with local university).
implemented by a separate and dedicated team?
4. Who should be involved in the project? Consideration should
• What actions will be taken if the project is not progressing as
be given to the skills and knowledge that will be of particular
planned?
importance to the project. Unfortunately, it may not be feasible
to use the company’s most experienced or knowledgeable 7. How will risk be managed? The Risk Register that was initially
personnel as these people are often critical to the day to day completed during the SET BUSINESS MODEL phase should be
operations of the company and so cannot be assigned to the reviewed and updated regularly as a tool for risk management.
project for eco-innovation. Nevertheless, it is important to receive
input from these experienced people were possible, so try to
get them involved as a stakeholder for the project or mentor to
younger members of the project team. Whenever possible, the
project team should be gender-balanced.
333
IM.1 Create a project plan
Milestones Deliverables
Month 3 Month 6 Month 9 Month 11 Month 12 • Baseline data
Identify sources of losses Complete first sub-project Complete first sub-project Complete first sub-project Review results • Report
summarising
sub-projects
Actions completed and
• Capture baseline data • Agree budget for first • Agree budget for second • Agree budget for third sub- • Perform mass balance at results
• Perform mass balance at sub-project sub-project project input and output of each • Budget use
input and output of each • Inform management of • Inform management of • Inform management of process step report
process step to identify sub-project activities and sub-project activities and sub-project activities and • Compare with baseline data
major sources of losses schedule schedule schedule
• Generate loss reduction • Implement first sub-project • Implement second sub- • Implement third sub-project
ideas for top three sources project
of losses
• Select solutions to implement
and update project plan
334
IM.1 Create a project plan
background information
References and resources
Project template:
335
336
IM.2
Present the
project plan
to the Senior
Management
Team
Complex activity
337
IM.2 Present the project plan
to the Senior Management Team
Depending on the company, it may be necessary at this stage to present Template of Project Pitch
the project plan in order to gain Senior Management Team approval to
proceed or to obtain resources (internal or external). During the BUILD Next steps
Aims and objectives
ROADMAP phase, the Senior Management Team will have agreed in
principle to proceed with the project. The aim of this presentation there-
fore is not to convince the Senior Management Team of the potential
business benefits of the first project for eco-innovation but to convince Key activities and timescales
them that a realistic plan is in place that will deliver the business benefits Deliverables
that have been promised. This presentation will draw heavily on the con-
tent project plan and the previous preparatory work. Guidance on what
to include in the presentation is provided in the box below.
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
Suggested topics to include in the presentation of the project plan to
Senior Management:
338
IM.2 Present the project plan
to the Senior Management Team
339
IM.2 Present the project plan
to the Senior Management Team
Learning Case Study of Project pitch
Aims and objectives Next steps
Reduce fish loss in the factory per tonne of fish processed by 25% Agreed to proceed based
Budget of $10,000 and 12 months duration on following changes to
project plan:
• Options for how to
Key activities and timescales Deliverables valorise non-recoverable
waste to be explored
• Baseline data • Any equipment purchase
Month 3 Months 3-11 Month 12 • Report summarising over $1,000 to be
Identify major sources of losses Complete sub-projects Review results sub-projects completed approved by CEOworking
and results practices. Mitigation
• Capture baseline data • Agree budget for each sub- • Perform mass balance at input • Budget use report action: Meeting with
• Perform mass balance at input project and output of each process Production Operatives to
and output of each process • Implement sub-projects step
step to identify major sources • Compare with baseline data
of losses
• Generate loss reduction ideas
for top three sources of losses
• Select solutions to implement
and update project plan
340
341
Step
activitIES overview
During the completion of the first project for eco-innovation, the level
IM.3 of support and guidance you provide will depend on the nature of your
Provide guidance role in the project. Some companies will need you to act as the day-to-
and solve problems day project manager and have full responsibility for implementing the
project. Other companies will appoint their own project manager and
use your services to provide oversight, mentoring and troubleshooting.
Whatever your role, it is important to ensure that the first project for
eco-innovation is completed successfully.
342
IM.3
Provide guidance
and solve
problems
Requires dialogue
343
IM.3 Provide guidance and solve problems
Many of the things you can do to support the first project for eco- Project Manager should act as a central focal point for the project and
innovation will be similar to normal innovation projects, but there are make everybody aware that if they have any questions, comments or
some aspects that require special attention within a project for eco- concerns about the project then the Project Manager should be the first
innovation. This activity highlights some of those issues and provides person they speak to. This is true for both internal and external partners
guidance on how to address them. (for example where suppliers or research centres are involved in the
project). Other ways to promote good communication include:
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT • Set-up a project notice board – This should provide key facts
about the project such as the aims and objectives of the
Make responsibilities clear
project, who is involved, how other people can contribute etc.
At the start of a project for eco-innovation, it is important to make sure
The project notice board should also be used to record what
responsibilities and ownership of tasks are clear, this will help to get
activities each team member is working on and their progress. It
engagement and commitment from project team members. As eco-
is important that this information is regularly updated so that the
innovation will involve new, and sometimes unplanned, activities it can
notice board is viewed and credible and up to date source of
be difficult to allocate all of the tasks to relevant personnel at the start of
information about the project.
the project. However, as a minimum, you should request the on-going
support of the Focal Point to coordinate and monitor the progress of the Template of Project Implementation
project. Depending on the situation, it may be that you as the Service
Provider take on the Project Manager role. Alternatively, the CEO may
appoint a Project Manager to the project from their own personnel. Either
Big picture of the project
way, a key aspect of the Project Manager role is to ensure that tasks are
allocated to individuals who then have the responsibility to ensure that
the task is completed on time and in accordance with the specification. Roles and responsibilities Communication
Where a project falls across two or more different functions within an
organization (e.g. ‘Production’ and ‘Marketing’) it is particularly important
to ensure that responsibilities and reporting channels are clear to avoid
the project ‘falling down the cracks’ between the functions.
• Hold regular progress meetings – If members of the project team they can provide feedback. It is important to get this feedback as
are working on different tasks it can be useful to hold regular early as possible so that changes can be made before further work
progress meetings (every fortnight for example) where one is completed, which makes changes more difficult and considerably
person per task reports on progress on that task. This does not more expensive. In order to get early feedback, the product
need to involve every member of the team, just those that are the development schedule should prioritize the completion of key
owner of a particular task. To ensure the meetings are short and features at the start of the project, even if this means presenting the
effective, try to establish a simple set of questions for people to representative of the customer a partial solution, so that they can
answer when reporting back. For example: provide feedback on the features of the solution that are complete.
• What progress has been made? Organizing regular (e.g. fortnightly or monthly) ‘demonstration’
meetings with the representative of the customer to gather feedback,
• What has gone well?
also has the advantage that it provides frequent small milestones that
• What problems have you encountered? can help focus and motivate the project team.
• What could we do to improve performance?
Solve problems quickly
• Organize open briefings – Much of the eco-innovation activity within
During the course of a project for eco-innovation, you are likely to
the company to date may have been conducted by you as the
encounter some problems. Creative thinking can help to overcome
Service Provider in discussion with the Senior Management Team.
these problems quickly and effectively. To help encourage creative
Therefore, the start of the project is a good opportunity to organize
problem solving, you can help the team to apply structured problem
a briefing session that anybody within the company can attend to
solving tools. One activity that can help with this is applying the 9
learn about the project and ask questions. Such briefings should not
Windows on the World template. This template was introduced in
be compulsory to attend as otherwise they can become a significant
the activity BM.7 Generate technical ideas for the value proposition
cost for the company. Further briefings after key milestones can also
block to support idea generation, but it is also well suited to dealing
be useful to keep interested stakeholders up to date.
with technical problems. Refer back to the activity BM.7 Generate
Get regular feedback technical ideas for the value proposition block for instructions on
Related to the issue of communication is the issue of feedback. how to apply the 9 Windows on the World template. If a solution
Within projects that aim to develop a new product, there should be cannot be found within the company then it may be necessary to
somebody in the project team that is acting as the representative of look to external partners for ideas. For instance:
the customer (sometimes called the ‘Voice of the customer’). That • Suppliers often have a lot of technical knowledge about their
person should receive regular updates and demonstrations so that products which may be helpful.
345
IM.3 Provide guidance and solve problems
346
IM.3 Provide guidance and solve problems
347
IM.3 Provide guidance and solve problems
Further information
in the Agri-foods and Metals
Supplements
348
349
REVIEW
Review the performance of the first project
for eco-innovation and update your plans for the future
Phase 6 — BM
REVIEW
activitIES overview
Having completed the first project for eco-innovation it is worthwhile
RE.1 taking some time to review the performance of the project. This is
Do a project review achieved through a review workshop. It is also worth reviewing your
workshop personal performance as a Service Provider to reflect on how you
RE.2 could improve and what other markets you might be able to target
Do a personal with your services.
review
354
RE.1
Do a project
review workshop
Complex activity
355
RE.1 Do a project review workshop
The project review should focus on the performance of the project, the review process. Gaining feedback from partners will be particu-
the results achieved and the ways that future projects could be larly important if they are due to be involved in subsequent projects
improved. Ultimately, you are trying to answer the questions: on the roadmap as you will need to ensure that they are satisfied
with the business benefits they are realising from the eco-innovation
• Did the project accomplish what it set out to achieve?
activities and remain motivated to continue with their involvement.
• What wider benefits have been generated by the project (e.g. any
new knowledge and skills, new partnerships, improved gender Whilst feedback and improvement ideas for all aspects of the
equality or brand and public relations benefits)? project should be welcomed, it can be useful to focus attention
on one or two key aspects. For instance, if the aim of the proj-
• How could future projects be managed differently to make them
ect was to develop a more sustainable packaging solution, the
more successful, efficient and cost-effective?
review might focus on the technology development process and
Gathering the information you need to answer these three questions the communication between the production process, design and
can be done efficiently through a review workshop. A suggested marketing personnel.
process for this review workshop is provided below. If you are
unable to obtain the participation of the relevant personnel you will Aim to complete the review soon after the completion of the project
need to perform the review yourself and try to get your findings and – when project team members will still be able to remember the
conclusions validated by your Focal Point within the company. details of the project. However, it is important to allow time for the
results of the project to become clear. For example, if the project
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT was about the development of a more sustainable packaging
solution you may have to wait 3-6 months to obtain the product
1. Review workshop planning
sales data in order to be able to evaluate the consumer acceptance
If you have not already done so, seek the permission of the CEO to of the new design.
perform the review workshop. Explain to the CEO that the purpose Gather and review project documentation such as the requirements
of the review workshop is to determine the results and benefits of specification and the Risk Register. Also gather evidence of the
the project and to identify ways to improve the performance of future results and benefits of the project e.g. data showing a reduction
projects for eco-innovation. in the energy consumption of production processes following the
Decide on the scope of the review in terms of time period consid- introduction of a new manufacturing process.
ered, which aspects of the project will be covered and who will be Decide on who should participate in the review workshop. Team
consulted during the review. If value chain partners have been in- leaders are good candidates to involve in the review because
volved in the project, it may be useful to obtain their feedback within they should have a good overview of the activities completed
356
RE.1 Do a project review workshop
and the problems encountered. The presence of members of Template of Project Review
the Senior Management Team may inhibit some participants from
providing a critical and honest review of the project and should Project data and Scope
therefore be avoided. Try to ensure a gender balanced group of documentation
participants for the review workshop.
357
RE.1 Do a project review workshop
providing their feedback. It can also be productive to ask participants Once the review report is ready, you should try to arrange a short
to focus their criticisms on the project process, not on individuals. meeting with the CEO and the Senior Management Team in order to
present a summary of this report. This presentation can be integrated
Ask each participant in turn to read out one of the points they have
at the start of the roadmap and strategy review, described in the
made in their review form. Allow some time for discussion of each
activity RE.3 Review the business model and roadmap.
point, but aim to keep progressing through the points so that there
is an opportunity to hear all of the points. Continue until all points Further information in the Metals Supplement
have been heard.
Based on the points raised and the discussion, ask the participants
to list their top five actions that can be taken to improve the
performance of future projects and make a note of these.
One aspect to think about is how the benefits of the project could
be enhanced. For instance, if a new eco-innovative product has
been launched, should the company now apply for an eco-label
for the product? Is there an award scheme for sustainable product
innovations that you could enter? Are there other parts of the
company that could benefit from what has been achieved within the
project? These types of follow-up actions should be noted in the
report for discussion at the roadmap and business model review.
358
RE.1 Do a project review workshop
• Process mass balance completed in month 12 shows a 28% reduction in fish loss • Scope to exclude the third sub-project as this was not fully implemented
compared to the baseline data • Review questionnaire will be sent to all Production Operatives, project team, and
• Project budget report shows that $8,500 spent from $10,000 budget Quality Manager
• Conclude that project achieved its main objectives
359
360
RE.2
Do a personal
review
Simple activity
361
RE.2 Do a personal review
The review until now has been focused on the benefits for the Template of Personal Review
company and what they have gained. However, you should take the
time to review your own performance, what you have learned and Feedback from
What did I do well? What did I find
what your next steps should be. others
challenging?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
1. Ask yourself the following questions
• What did I do well?
• What did I find challenging?
• What could I do differently in future projects?
• What have I learned?
• Are there other markets that I should target with my eco-
innovation services?
What have I learned? What should I do
2. Try to generate five actions you can take to improve your perfor- differently in future
mance in supporting future projects for eco-innovation. projects?
3. If you have identified potential new markets for your eco-innova-
tion services, this will involve returning to the PREPARE phase in
order to assess the attractiveness of the market and build your
understanding of that market.
362
RE.2 Do a personal review
Are there other markets that I should target with my eco-innovation services?
Very similar challenges identified in other food processing companies – need to investigate these opportunities further
363
Step
activitIES overview
During the first project for eco-innovation you will learnt a lot about
RE.3 the needs of the market, market trends, the innovation capacity of the
Review the business company and the willingness of the supply chain to participate. There
model and roadmap may also have been new developments in areas such as technology,
RE.4 the price of energy and commodities, or legislation. You will also have
Present the review learned about which aspects of the business model are working well
conclusions and and which need some refinement. Now is therefore a good time to
agree next steps review and update the business model and roadmap.
with the CEO
364
RE.3
Review the
business model
and roadmap
Requires dialogue
365
RE.3 Review the business model
and roadmap
The Business Model and Roadmap Review template can be • Were any new performance gaps identified over the course
completed to a large extent by you working alone. You can then of the project? If so, try to generate new project ideas to
present your findings and recommendations to the CEO and Senior overcome those gaps and add them to the roadmap.
Management Team. The key activities in this review are discussed • Review the roadmap and decide:
below. Note that the focus is on the roadmap and business model
• Is there any new information of evidence that strengthens or
because the overall strategy should not need updating regularly,
weakens the case for completing any of the roadmap items?
although some small adjustments to the strategy and goals may be
Remove any items that are no longer important or relevant.
necessary at times.
• Are there any new ideas that should be added to the roadmap?
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT Where should they fit in?
• Is the order of the roadmap items still valid? If not, how should it
Key activities to cover within the review of the business model
change?
and roadmap:
• Which idea, or combination of ideas on the roadmap, would
• Look again at the recommendations from the Project Review make a logical next project for the company?
template and consider if there are any implications for the business
model or roadmap? For example, is there a need for additional train- Further information in the Chemicals and Metals Supplement
ing on topics like life cycle thinking before proceeding with the next
project? Was the lack of engagement from suppliers highlighted as a
problem, and if so, what could be done to address this?
• Review the business model and try to evaluate:
• Is there any new information of evidence that strengthens or
weakens your confidence in the validity of the business model? In
particular, what has been the response of competitors? How are
they adapting, and are new competitive threats emerging? If you
have serious concerns about the validity of the business model
then your recommendation to the company should be to revisit the
SET BUSINESS MODEL phase in order to address the issues.
• What progress was made during the last project on the
sustainability hotspots identified during the In-Depth Assessment?
366
RE.3 Review the business model
and roadmap
367
RE.3 Review the business model
and roadmap
Learning Case Study of Business Model & Roadmap Review
Results from project Validity of business model Validity of roadmap Next project
review for the company
• Fisherpeople seem keen to engage on • Identified poor cold storage during
the topic of reducing fish loss in the value transportation from market to factory as • Reducing fish loss
• Service Provider
and key company chain. This suggests they will be willing to a major source of fish loss therefore still in the value chain’
staff should engage in other sustainability topics as a strong need to complete the project proposed as the
complete some well ‘Reducing fish loss in the value chain’ next project because
training on change • Competitors have been trying to poach
it will generate cost
management key production staff to learn more about
how to reduce fish loss savings for the
fisherpeople that
can be invested
in the sustainable
New ideas to roadmap
fishing projects
Roadmap order
368
RE.4
Present
the review
conclusions and
agree next steps
with the CEO
Complex activity
369
RE.4 Present the review conclusions
and agree next steps with the CEO
The final activity is to present your recommendations to the CEO Template of Review Presentation
and Senior Management Team. Guidance on what to include in this
presentation is provided below.
Analysis of business Results and benefits of Next steps
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT model and roadmap the project
validity
Suggested topics to include in the presentation to the CEO:
370
RE.4 Present the review conclusions
and agree next steps with the CEO
Learning Case Study of Review Presentation
371
Glossary of key terms
Business model Gender equality
Describes how a company does business. It is the translation of Refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women
strategic issues, such as strategic positioning and strategic goals into and men and girls and boys. Equality does not mean that women
a conceptual model that explicitly states how the business functions. and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights,
The business model serves as a building plan that allows designing responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are
and realizing the business structure and systems that constitute the born male or female. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs
company’s operational and physical form. (Osterwalder et al, 2005). and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration,
recognizing the diversity of different groups of women and men.
Business strategy
Gender equality is not a women’s issue but should concern and fully
Describes the long term goals of the company and the markets in engage men as well as women. (UN Women)
which the company will operate (i.e. vision and mission) (adapted from
Gender-sensitive
Andrews, 1997).
Describes an attempt to redress existing gender inequalities when
Gender
designing and implement development projects, programs or policies.
Describes the roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a
Life cycle
given society at a given time considers appropriate for men and
women. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially Consecutive and interlinked stages of a product (good or service),
constructed and are learned through socialization processes. They from the extraction of natural resources to the final disposal (adapted
are context/time-specific and changeable. (UN Women) from ISO 14040:2006).
Describes any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis It is a systematic set of procedures for compiling and examining
of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the the inputs and outputs of materials and energy and the associated
recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their environmental impacts directly attributable to the functioning of a
marital status, on the basis of equality of men and women, of human product throughout its life cycle (adapted from ISO 14040:2006).
rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social,
Life cycle thinking
cultural, civil or any other field (Art.1 CEDAW, 1979).
It is a mostly qualitative approach to understand how our choices
influence what happens at each of the stages of the life cycle of an
industrial activity: from raw material acquisition through manufacture,
distribution, product use and disposal. This approach is needed in
order for us to balance trade-offs and positively impact the economy,
the environment, and society (UN Environment, 2004).
372
Glossary of key terms
Marketing Stakeholder
It is the set of activities that are designed to help the company It s any group or individual who can affect, or is affected by, an
to understand the type of product it should offer to a market and organization or its activities. Also, any individual or group that can
communicate the benefits and value of the product to the targeted help define value propositions for the organization (Stakeholder
consumer. Marketing focuses on the product, promotion, price and Research Associates Canada Inc., United Nations Environment
distribution channels. Programme, AccountAbility: Stakeholder Engagement, 2005).
It is the activity of gathering information about the size, growth, It is a system of organizations, technology, activities, information
profitability, target groups and existing products of a market, which and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier
is used to inform decision making at a strategic level. This specific to customer (Michael Porter 1985) are the most significant impacts
activity would fall under the broader umbrella of marketing activities. in the value chain or the life cycle of a product or service system,
which can be used to identify impact improvement opportunities and
Organization structure
to prioritize impact reduction actions (UN Environment/SETAC, 2014).
It refers to the range of activities and key resources (human and
Value
financial) within the company, in addition to those relating directly
to production, that are dedicated to supporting the business It is understood to involve creating economic value (the revenue
model. These include procurement processes, distribution, key that a firm gets in return for its goods or services) in a way that also
partnerships, customer relationships and interfaces, research and creates positive Outputs for society by addressing its needs and
development, internal communication, and revenue generation. threats, taking into account economic, environmental and social
considerations (adapted from Porter & Kramer, 2011).
Partners
Value chain
It refers to parties in the value chain that provide or receive value
including suppliers, outsourced workers, contractors, customers, It is the entire sequence of activities or parties that provide or receive
consumers, clients, members, and others (ISO 26000:2010). value in the form of products or services (e.g. suppliers, outsource
workers, contractors, investors, R&D, customers, consumers,
Roadmap
members) (ISO 14001 CD2, 2013). See also Partners definition above.
It is a planning tool used to support the implementation of strategies.
Value proposition
It is made-up of a series of projects that will help to progress the
organization from the company’s current position towards fulfilling the It refers to the products or services that an organization offers to a
organization’s goals (adapted from Phaal R et al, 2007). specific market segment that the organization believes will create
value for that specific market segment.
373
General references and resources
Eco-innovation policy aspects: McAloone, T. C., Bey N. (2009). Environmental improvement through
product development – a guide. Danish Environmental Protection
Kemp, R., & Peterson, P. (2007). Final report MEI project about
Agency. Available from: http://www.ecodesign.dtu.dk/Ecodesign-
measuring eco-innovation [Online]. Available from: http://www.oecd.
Guide
org/greengrowth/consumption-innovation/43960830.pdf
Crul, M.R.M, Diehl, J.C., (2007). Design for Sustainability: A Practical
UN Environment (2012). Global outlook on sustainable consumption
Approach for Developing Economies. Paris, UN Environment DTIE.
and production policies: taking action together. UN Environment,
Available from: www.d4s-de.org
Nairobi. Available from: http://www.unep.org/pdf/Global_Outlook_on_
SCP_Policies_full_final.pdf Technology issues:
Guidance on Gender Equality and the Environment: UN Environment (2016). Technologies for Eco-innovation. UN
Environment DTIE, Paris
UNIDO (2015). Guide on Gender Mainstreaming: Environmental
Management Projects. Available from: https://www.unido.org/ Eco-innovation projects and relevant initiatives:
fileadmin/user_media_upgrade/What_we_do/Topics/Women_and_
Eco-innovation Observatory – reports, data and examples concerning
Youth/Gender_Environmental_Management_Projects.pdf
eco-innovation activities in the European Union. Available from: http://
UNIDO (2015). Guide on Gender Mainstreaming: Business, Investment www.eco-innovation.eu/
and Technology Services for Private Sector Development. Available
Ecoweb – database of over 3000 EU-funded projects. Available from:
from: https://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media_upgrade/
http://www.ecoweb.info/
What_we_do/Topics/Women_and_Youth/Guide_on_Gender_
Mainstreaming_Business_Investment_and_Technology_Services_ Eco-innovation project database – details of over 200 EU-funded
for_Private_Sector_Development.pdf projects. Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-
innovation/projects/
Design for Sustainability and Cleaner Production:
Global SCP Clearinghouse – UN Environment convened platform
UNIDO-UN Environment (2010). Promoting Resource Efficiency in
for the exchange of knowledge, tools and information related to
SMEs resource kit (PRE-SME). Available from: http://www.unep.org/pdf/
sustainable consumption and production. Available from: http://www.
PRE-SME_handbook_2010.pdf
scpclearinghouse.org/
374
General references and resources
375
List of Tables and Figures
Figures Tables
Figure 1: A model of the eco-innovation implementation 11 Table 1: Attributes of an organisation important for eco- PR.1
process. innovation and the type of company
Figure 2: Activity Cover Legend 13 Table 2: Examples of customer engagement and insights BM.5
gathering techniques
Figure 3: Activity Pages Legend 13
Figure 7: Data sources and process for the SWOT analysis. ST.7
376
Pictures References
380